Government Operations committee  The other companies that we have national master standing offers with for benchmarking services are Forrester, CEB, Info-Tech, and Gartner.

Government Operations committee  Thanks very much for the question, Mr. Chair. I believe the national, master standing offer is being referred to. In those circumstances, there is a requirement for us to confirm that the work in question brought forward by our client department is consistent with the scope of

Government Operations committee  In the COVID context, I would add to what the deputy said that we would have assessed each requirement that was brought forward to us for what the appropriate mechanisms would be. Given the urgency of the situation, we would have employed a range of tools, based on our policies a

Government Operations committee  Thank you very much for the question, Mr. Chair. As was indicated, what we have been providing is in relation to the contracts awarded by PSPC. These are reflective of the point in time within our systems. You made reference earlier in the question to $101 million and the fact

Government Operations committee  Thank you for the question. Again, when—

Government Operations committee  The positions that would sign and approve contracts would be done based on a combination of value, complexity and risk. We have delegated authorities that are specific to certain levels of risk, complexity and value.

Government Operations committee  Go ahead, Clinton. Do you want to take this one?

Government Operations committee  Thank you very much for the question. In terms of ensuring that we are targeting the right under-represented groups, there are various means of certification. One is self-certification. Another is some increased form of validation, and the third is having a third party certify t

Government Operations committee  As indicated, we are aware of the barriers faced by under-represented suppliers in procurement and we have engaged in extensive consultations with the groups. Some of the things we have heard are around an awareness of our procurement opportunities, so that's one of the important

Government Operations committee  Thank you for the question. In particular, in relation to under-represented groups, again, we have various supports. My colleague Clinton, who's at the table, can speak more on Procurement Assistance Canada supports available to those that do not have the same experience or succ

Government Operations committee  Thank you very much for the question. It's important again to highlight the extensive engagement that we have undertaken with the under-represented communities and the many issues that they have flagged to us in terms of the barriers to access to procurement opportunities, so our

Government Operations committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, for the question. First, can I just apologize for not being there in person with my colleagues? Unfortunately, I'm recovering from a cold, so an in-person attendance wasn't possible today. In terms of the question, I very much appreciate the co

Government Operations committee  I'm afraid that, as the associate assistant deputy minister for procurement, I'm not responsible for the office portfolio. My colleague, the chief information officer, is not either, so we're not in a position to answer that question. It would have to be other colleagues of ours

Government Operations committee  I can certainly take the question and come back with a response for the committee, yes.

Government Operations committee  Mr. Chair, thank you for the question. I think in these instances it would be the individual departments that are responsible for establishing the requirements that PSPC conducts the procurement processes for. Certainly, they are responsible for ensuring that they have a busines