Inquiry into RCMP IT contract award

Summary#

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal decided on December 20, 2023 to open a formal inquiry after a complaint from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC). The complaint challenges a Department of Public Works and Government Services (PWGSC) procurement for IT services that named Deloitte Inc. the winning bidder. This notice was published in the Canada Gazette on January 6, 2024.

What it does#

• The Tribunal announced it will conduct an inquiry under the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Act and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Procurement Inquiry Regulations.
• The complaint is filed as File PR-2023-046 by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC).
• The procurement in question is Solicitation WS3974445941, for information technology professional services, run by PWGSC on behalf of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
• PwC alleges that PWGSC improperly found Deloitte Inc. to be the winning bidder.
• For more information, the Tribunal’s Registry listed a contact (telephone: 613‑993‑3595; email: citt-tcce@tribunal.gc.ca).

Who's affected#

• PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) and Deloitte Inc., as the complainant and the named winning bidder.
• Department of Public Works and Government Services (PWGSC) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), as the purchaser and the client.
• Other companies that bid on Solicitation WS3974445941 or that bid on similar federal IT service contracts.
• Members of the public and watchdogs who follow government procurement fairness.

Why it matters#

• The inquiry is a formal review of whether the procurement was handled fairly. That can affect who ultimately keeps the contract.
• It matters for businesses that bid on federal contracts—decisions like this influence trust in the procurement system.
• It matters to taxpayers because it concerns how government money is awarded for services.
• The Gazette notice does not say what outcomes or remedies might follow the inquiry.