Tribunal opens inquiry into RCMP IT contract
Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 158, Number 1: COMMISSIONS
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has opened an inquiry after PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) complained that the Department of Public Works and Government Services (PWGSC) improperly awarded an IT professional services contract to Deloitte Inc. The decision to conduct the inquiry was made on 2023-12-20 and the notice was published 2024-01-06; the Tribunal will investigate but has not announced any outcome or remedy.
Summary
Summary#
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has opened an inquiry into a federal procurement complaint filed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (file PR-2023-046). PwC says the Department of Public Works and Government Services (PWGSC) wrongly named Deloitte Inc. the winner of a contract for IT professional services for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The Tribunal made the decision to hold the inquiry on December 20, 2023.
What it does#
- Announces that an inquiry will be conducted into the procurement complaint (file PR-2023-046).
- Identifies the procurement as solicitation WS3974445941, for information technology professional services for the RCMP, run by PWGSC.
- States PwC alleges PWGSC improperly selected Deloitte Inc. as the winning bidder.
- Notes the Tribunal’s action follows provisions of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Act and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Procurement Inquiry Regulations.
- Does not state the outcome of the inquiry or any remedy — the notice simply records that the Tribunal will investigate.
Who's affected#
- PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) and Deloitte Inc., as the complainant and the named winning bidder.
- The Department of Public Works and Government Services (PWGSC) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), as the contracting department and the client.
- Other companies that bid on or compete for federal IT service contracts may be interested.
- It is unclear from the notice whether other parties (for example, other bidders) will be directly involved.
Why it matters#
- The inquiry could affect which company ultimately gets the contract to provide IT services to the RCMP.
- It may delay contract start or delivery of services while the Tribunal reviews the complaint.
- The outcome could have financial or reputational consequences for the firms involved and could influence how similar federal procurements are run or challenged in future.
- The notice does not say what the Tribunal will decide; it only announces that a formal review will take place.
Key topics
Source: Canada Gazette