Auditor General Michael Ferguson’s new report on the administration of the House of Commons found “weaknesses” in contracting practices and a “widespread lack of compliance” with procedures for procurement. Approximately $60 million was spent on procurement in the 2010-11 fiscal year and 41 of the 59 procurements tested did not follow the rules. “Errors included missing documentation, unsigned contracts and one case where a contract was awarded to a bidder that did not meet a mandatory requirement,” Ferguson said at a news conference after tabling both reports in their respective chambers. He did not give specifics about the contracts, but his report said they ranged in price from under $10 to millions of dollars. The case where a mandatory requirement wasn’t met related to a contract valued at $600,000. It should not have been evaluated, according to the rules, but it was considered, and the vendor ended up winning the contract. (via CBC, PDF)
