January 23, 2013

Procurement code revised

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

Defence Construction Canada (DCC), a key client of both the design and construction sectors, has revised its code of conduct governing procurement of goods and services.

Melinda Nycholat, the Crown corporation’s vice-president, operations-procurement, said both the scope and application of the Procurement Code of Conduct have been expanded since the document was originally issued.

The code now applies to all DCC contracts and covers a wider range of offences under the Criminal Code, Financial Administration Act, Income Tax Act and the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, as well as the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act.

Defence Construction awards close to $1 billion annually in contracts on behalf of its client-partners, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces.

The Canadian Construction Association and other industry organizations have alerted their members to the revised code.

“With our Procurement Code of Conduct, we aim to provide suppliers with a clear statement of expectations to ensure a basic understanding of their responsibilities during the procurement process as well as throughout the implementation of the work,” Nycholat said.

“Previously, DCC did have some of the provisions in some of our documents, but by providing a single point of reference to key responsibilities, we are making the measures easier to find and understand in light of an overall commitment to the highest standards of ethical conduct.”

Supplier obligations will be enforced through provisions stipulated in the bid documents and contract.

Nycholat said the measures that have been introduced will not require additional effort by the industry.

“But, companies submitting a tender or a proposal will be certifying in their submission that they will comply with the code during the procurement process as well as during implementation of the work,” she said.

In announcing the revised code, the Crown corporation said it has a responsibility to maintain the confidence of the supplier community and the Canadian public by conducting procurement in an accountable, ethical and transparent manner.

Nycholat said DCC intends to review the code from time to time to ensure its objectives are met.

The revised code is available on the corporation's website at www.dcc-cdc.gc.ca.

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