Inquiry into Translation Services Solicitation

Summary#

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal decided on April 3, 2020 to open an inquiry into a complaint from RTG Protech Inc. (File No. PR-2019-072). The complaint challenges how a point-rated technical requirement was evaluated in a federal translation services solicitation (Solicitation No. 5P004-190022/A).

What it does#

• Opens an inquiry into the complaint by RTG Protech Inc. about the evaluation of technical criterion 2.1.
• The complaint concerns a Request for a Standing Offer (Solicitation No. 5P004-190022/A) run by Public Works and Government Services Canada for the Parks Canada Agency.
• The decision to investigate was made under the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Act and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Procurement Inquiry Regulations.
• The inquiry will look at whether the solicitation’s evaluation was handled properly. The Gazette notice does not say what outcome, if any, will follow.

Who's affected#

• RTG Protech Inc., the company that filed the complaint.
• Other companies that bid (or planned to bid) on the same translation and related editing/updating services Standing Offer.
• Procurement staff at Public Works and Government Services Canada and the Parks Canada Agency.
• It is not clear from the notice whether the inquiry will change the contract award or timeline.

Why it matters#

• Federal procurement processes rely on fair, transparent evaluations. An inquiry can affect who wins a contract.
• If the Tribunal finds the evaluation was improper, it could lead to a re-evaluation, a change in the award, or guidance for future procurements.
• For businesses that bid on government work, this is a reminder that evaluation disputes can be formally reviewed.