ITAC criticizes federal government's IT contracting, then withdraws report

• UPDATE: ITAC posts revised report on federal contracting

A report by the Information Technology Association of Canada denouncing a lack of transparency in the federal government's awarding of IT contracts was withdrawn shortlyafter being sent to two federal ministers.

ITAC represents over 200 businesses in the Canadian IT industry, including Bell, Telus, IBM and Rogers.

Radio-Canada obtained a copy of the original report, which says that "ideasput forward with a view to expandingcompetition are frequently rejected with a curt'no' response without any rationaleor explanation."

According to the document, Public Works and Shared Services Canada frequently solicitopinions from industry experts through consultative committees, but seldom acton their advice.

"Supplierswho participate on a voluntary basis receive minimal feedback as tohow the outputs from their participationare used or why their recommendations are rejected," it said.

The ITAC document reviewedthe new approach adopted by the federal government for awarding contracts, called "smart procurement."

Instituted approximately two years ago, this system provides, among other things, greater consultation with representatives of the industry at the beginning of projects, even before tenders are issued.

According to the Public Works website, drawing on experts from the industry earlier in the process helps the department identify better solutions, increase competition and save taxpayer money.

The ITAC report states that it supports this approach, but argues that the current system goes only one way from industry to government, not the reverse.

The report was sent April 7 to Public Works Minister Diane Finley and Treasury Board President Tony Clement, who is responsible for the federal public service.

When CBC News requested an interview with ITAC in May, its head of media relations, Linda Leonard, said the report wasn't final.

Leonard then saidthat "the report has been withdrawn."

According to her, the document did not receive the necessary authorizations before being sent to the two federal ministers.

However, the report was accompanied by a letter signed by ITACpresident Karna Gupta.

Gupta declined to comment.

"It's being rewritten from beginning to end." explained Leonard. "Opinions won't change. It's more a question of tone, formatand coherence."

According to Leonard, ITAC must clearly represent all of its members, and some expressed discontent with the process.

"We made a mistake. We are correcting it," she said.

As to whether the federal ministers reacted badly to the report, Leonard said that she did not know.

ITAC had committed to submitting a revised report to the federal government at the beginning of June and sharing it with Radio-Canada.

When contacted by Radio-Canada, ITAC refusedto saywhether a new report is ready and wouldbe made public.

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