Retour aux nouvelles

4 septembre 2018 | Local, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR

No need to ensure purchased military equipment actually works, government officials argue in procurement dispute

David Pugliese, Ottawa Citizen

Officials admit they have never tested the latest search and rescue gear to be used by the military and coast guard

Canada is under no obligation to ensure the military equipment it purchases can actually do the job, federal officials are arguing, as they admit they have never tested the latest search and rescue gear to be used by the military and coast guard.

The admission by staff of Public Services and Procurement Canada is among the evidence in a complaint by two defence firms that argue the government's decision to award a contract to a rival company was unfair.

The complaint was filed on July 27 with the Canadian International Trade Tribunal by Kongsberg Geospatial of Ottawa on behalf of Critical Software, a Portuguese firm. The complaint centres on the government decision to name MDA Systems the winner of a $5.6 million contract to provide software to help in search and rescue missions.

Critical Software, which teamed with Kongsberg to bid on the project, had originally raised concerns with the government about why the two companies' proposal was thrown out on a technicality. The Critical Software system is used by more than 1,000 organizations, such as coast guards, police and military in more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.

But because Critical Software and Kongsberg didn't provide a percentage figure of how many systems were in use in each region, their bid was disqualified by the government.

The two companies questioned that decision and were stunned when federal officials admitted they have never tested the winning system and didn't actually know whether it meets the requirements of the Canadian Forces or the Canadian Coast Guard.

Public Service and Procurement Canada officials stated “Canada may, but will have no obligation, to require that the top-ranked Bidder demonstrate any features, functionality and capabilities described in this bid solicitation or in its bid,” according to the federal response provided to Kongsberg/Critical Software and included in its complaint to the trade tribunal.

The government noted in its response that such an evaluation would be conducted after the contract was awarded and insisted the acquisition process was fair and open.

Full article: https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/no-need-to-ensure-military-equipment-purchased-actually-works-government-officials-argue-in-procurement-dispute

Sur le même sujet

  • The Canadian Export Challenge is going digital

    4 juin 2020 | Local, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

    The Canadian Export Challenge is going digital

    The Canadian Export Challenge is going digital Are you interested in fast‑tracking your global business growth? This September, the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS), along with Export Development Canada (EDC), UPS, Mastercard and Scotiabank, are collaborating with Startup Canada to present the third annual, and first fully‑digital edition of the Canadian Export Challenge (CXC) for Canadian startups and scale‑ups powered by Google. This year, the CXC will aim to be a safe space for Canadian exporters and industry partners to come together, provide support to each other, and navigate the uncertain export environment in light of COVID‑19. Participants can: • Attend livestream presentations and breakout sessions • Experience interactive learning with industry experts • Apply to compete in the digital pitch competition The events will be held digitally during the week of September 14th, 2020 in the following five regions across Canada (final dates to be confirmed): • British Columbia and Northern Region • Prairies Region • Ontario Region • Atlantic Region • Quebec Region The call for applications to register for CXC participation opened on June 1, 2020. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply and submit their video pitches until September 9, 2020. Accelerate your international expansion. Learn more and apply now! Subscribe to receive future email notifications through CanadExport. THE CANADIAN TRADE COMMISSIONER SERVICE ISSN 1493-7395 Unsubscribe | Important Notices Contact Us Deputy Director: Gregory Radych Managing Editor: Yen Le CanadExport Global Affairs Canada 111 Sussex Drive Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1J1

  • Babcock Leonardo Canadian Aircrew Training announces IBM as a strategic subcontractor - Skies Mag

    30 mai 2023 | Local, Aérospatial

    Babcock Leonardo Canadian Aircrew Training announces IBM as a strategic subcontractor - Skies Mag

    Babcock Leonardo Canadian Aircrew Training announced IBM Canada as a strategic subcontractor for Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program.

  • Le CP-140 Aurora survolera le Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières

    8 août 2022 | Local, Aérospatial

    Le CP-140 Aurora survolera le Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières

    Un CP-140 Aurora de la 14e Escadre Greenwood effectuera un survol dans le cadre du Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, le dimanche 7 août.

Toutes les nouvelles