Tribunal Opens Inquiry into RCMP Workbench Procurement

Summary#

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal decided on June 28, 2023 to open an inquiry after a complaint from Stor‑it Systems Ltd. about a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) procurement for U‑shaped workbenches with cabinets and drawers. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) also posted a batch of applications, decisions and notices on its website between June 29, 2023 and July 6, 2023, including deadlines for public interventions.

What it does#

• The Canadian International Trade Tribunal will investigate complaint File PR‑2023‑017 from Stor‑it Systems Ltd. That company says the RCMP wrongly found its bid non‑compliant for Solicitation M4000‑3‑3698 (supply and installation of workbenches, cabinets and drawers). For more information, the Tribunal Registry can be contacted by phone at 613‑993‑3595 or by email at citt‑tcce@tribunal.gc.ca.
• The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission:
  • Posted applications for licence renewals or amendments from Golden West Broadcasting Ltd., Corus Radio Inc., Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and Aboriginal Peoples Television Network Incorporated.
  • Listed deadlines for public interventions of August 3, 2023 and July 31, 2023 for those filings.
  • Published administrative decisions and full decisions dated June 29, 2023, July 5, 2023, and July 6, 2023, which are available on the CRTC website.

Who's affected#

• Stor‑it Systems Ltd. and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are directly involved in the procurement dispute. Other companies that bid or considered bidding on that RCMP solicitation could also be affected if the contract is re‑evaluated.
• Broadcasters and local radio stations named in the CRTC postings (and their listeners), including the applicants listed above, are affected by licence renewal or amendment timelines and decisions.
• Members of the public or organizations interested in those CRTC proceedings who may want to submit comments by the listed deadlines.

Why it matters#

• The Tribunal inquiry could change which company wins the RCMP contract or prompt a re‑award or re‑evaluation, affecting suppliers and taxpayers.
• CRTC postings set the public timetable for licence decisions and give communities and competitors a chance to comment. That can matter for local media choices, station operations, and who gets broadcast licences.