Joe Wild, Executive Director, Strategic Policy, Corporate Priorities, Planning and Policy Renewal Sector, Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat

This presentation will provide an overview of the Federal Accountability Act, focusing in particular on the elements of the Act having direct impact on departments and agencies and their implementation status.

Greg Kenney, Principal Analyst, Investment Project Management and Procurement Policy Division, Government Operations Sector, Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat

The Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat has developed renewed policies on Investment Planning: Assets and Acquired Services and the Management of Projects. These policies were approved in June 2007 and are being implemented through a phased approach, beginning with a pilot project involving a small number of departments. Once fully implemented across the government of Canada, this change will have considerable impact on how senior government executives oversee multiple projects. The revised policies include new requirements based on sound management principles and clarify deputy minister accountability. This presentation will provide an overview of the new policies and their objectives, describe the most significant expected changes, and explain the planned implementation.

Desmond Gray, Director, Client Engagement Sector, Public Works and Government Services Canada

Public Works and Government Services Canada’s (PWGSC) Acquisitions Branch, Client Engagement Sector (CES) is mandated to work in partnership with federal departments and agencies to improve procurement processes and practices. Each department and agency of the government of Canada has vast experience and expertise in procurement. The CES team ensures that this unique expertise is shared among organizations so we can all learn from each other. As well, we bring organizations together to help identify and build on strengths, and to explore industry-standard approaches. In order to support clients in enhancing their procurement management, CES has developed an approach, services and tools which will all be covered in this session.

Madeleine Plouffe, Team Leader Green Procurement, Strategic Relations Division, Acquisitions Branch, Public Works Government Services Canada
Caroline MacIntosh, Senior Policy Analyst/Manager, Policy Directorate of the Office of Greening Government Operations

With the federal government’s Policy on Green Procurement comes extensive implementation on the part of all government departments as well as Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC). To implement successfully, PWGSC is supporting departments through tools and common procurement instruments. Find out what tools are available, get an overview of the implementation plan and reporting requirements, learn about achievements and success stories to date and get the scoop on what's next and how you can be a part of this.

Rory Ridler, Senior Analyst, Procurement Renewal Office, Public Works and Government Services Canada

The government of Canada procurement environment is complex, with many competing priorities, including best value, process efficiency and increased accountability requirements. Since 2005, procurement transformation efforts have resulted in a very different environment than that of ten years ago, with many new tools and strategic instruments being developed. The recently created Public Works and Government Services Canada Procurement Renewal Office has the mandate to support achievement of government-wide procurement objectives. This office is currently developing a strategy for all government procurement including options that will involve the participation of all other government departments. This session will be a good opportunity to discuss aspects of the plan and give departments the opportunity to contribute to its development.

Shirley Jen, Senior Director, Real Property and Materiel Policy Division, Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat

This presentation will outline the state of materiel management policy, recent developments and future direction. An overview of the Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat (TBS) Policy on Management of Materiel including its context and associated directives will be provided. It will focus on new tools and resources available and under development at TBS to ensure government-wide excellence in materiel management.

Pat Gibson, Director, Horizontal Policy, Acquisition Branch, Public Works and Government Services Canada

This presentation will provide an overview of the Code of Conduct for Procurement, including background on its development and implementation, and its impact on the materiel management and contracting community and other stakeholders.

Colleen Post, A/Senior Director, Procurement, Materiel Management and Real Property Community (PMMRP) Management Office, Assets and Acquired Services Directorate, Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat
Elène Fromanger, Senior Advisor, Procurement, Materiel Management and Real Property Community (PMMRP) Management Office, Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat
Susan Bridges, Senior Advisor, Procurement, Materiel Management and Real Property Community (PMMRP) Management Office, Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat

Are you still uncertain as to the differences amongst these three similar yet distinct learning programs? Take this opportunity to find out what you are required to take as a functional specialist involved in procurement, materiel management and real property and how you can use these programs to enhance your knowledge and skills and ultimately be recognized through certified professional designation.

Shahid Minto, Procurement Ombudsman Designate, Office of the Procurement Ombudsman

The Federal Accountability Act received royal assent on December 12, 2006. Through this Act, the Government of Canada has brought forward specific measures to help strengthen accountability and increase transparency.

The Federal Accountability Act provides for the appointment of a Procurement Ombudsman who will operate at arm’s length from government departments to promote fairness, openness and transparency in federal procurement processes by reviewing procurement practices and responding to complaints from suppliers. The Procurement Ombudsman will also provide an alternative dispute resolution process as well as perform any other duties or functions respecting procurement practices.

During this session participants will learn about the role of the Procurement Ombudsman and its mandate, mission and vision. Participants will also learn about the independence of the Procurement Ombudsman, what fairness, openness and transparency means to the Office Procurement Ombudsman and what the reporting expectations are.

Peter Studer, Senior Industrial Benefits Advisor, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Focusing on Atlantic Canada, this presentation will aid members in recognizing the real possibility of “made in Canada” solutions available today, from an overlooked engine of the Canadian economy – regional SME’s. Focused on innovation, quality and price, regional SME’s are developing, manufacturing and delivering cutting-edge products and services on the world stage, in fields ranging from homeland security to construction equipment. Unfortunately, many regional SME’s find it difficult to access the domestic market which can negatively influence their offshore sales. The presentation also addresses the dedicated team of resources that exists to assist members in accessing Canada’s regional SME’s.

The Use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology to Track Secure Shipments in CRA

Ken Cierpicki, Director, Corporate Services Division, Administration Directorate, Canada Revenue Agency
Louis O’Brien, Senior Vice President, Canada Post Corporation and President, Parcels Division, Canada Post Corporation

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Canada Post Corporation (CPC) have worked together to leverage the current CPC active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system infrastructure along with an SAP driven electronic shipping tool and barcode scanning technology to provide 100% visibility and management of all shipments in near time. As a result of using this technology, both CRA and CPC have been able to collect more detailed and timely information on CRA secure shipments and reduce the costs spent searching and confirming delivery of shipments.

Computing Beyond the Desktop

John Rivenell, President, SageData Solutions Inc.

The latest handheld computers are rugged and powerful. Easy to carry, easy to use, barcode and RFID readers make data collection fast and accurate. These units are changing the way we work. They will change your operations. Asset management is becoming more important – for efficiency, and good corporate governance. Barcodes, RFID and handheld computers make it easy. Inventory management is simpler. Receiving, put-away, picking and shipping are all automatable. You can steer between bloated inventory and stock-outs. SageData will show how these new technologies are changing the way that we do business.

Martin Desnoyers, Manager, Personnel Certification Division, Public Works and Government Services Canada

The first part of this two part session provides an overview of the Certification Program, an explanation of the five step certification process and a demonstration of the Certification Program web site.

The second part consists of a review of the enrolment process through an in-depth examination of the different forms that candidates must submit, including the forms required for requesting a course equivalency and describing experience and achievements.

Christiane Ouimet, Commissioner, Public Service Integrity Canada

This presentation will offer an overview of the recently established Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner and the roles and responsibilities both of the Commissioner and of public institutions under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act.

Kerry Sisk, Team Leader, Professional Development Division, Public Works and Government Services Canada
Paul Thomson, Policy Analyst, Trade Agreements Strategy and CITT Coordination, Public Works and Government Services Canada

This presentation will look at various aspects of debriefing unsuccessful bidders. It will touch on some activities involved in the debriefing process as well as pre- and post- activities. It will look at some of the potential areas of risk and touch lightheartedly on the psychology involved in this process.

Daryl Leach, Client Services Officer, Industrial Security Operations Division, Public Works and Government Services Canada

The Canadian Industrial Security Directorate (CISD) is responsible for administering the Industrial Security Program within Canada as indicated in the Government Security Policy and its operational standards. CISD provides personnel screening services to industry contractor personnel, ensures security and inspection of companies who will be required to safeguard protected and classified government information and assets.

This session will highlight the purpose of the program, roles and responsibilities of contracting to industry with contracts containing a security requirement and the protection of protected and classified information and assets.

Linda Jellicoe, Supply Team Leader, Imaging Product Management Group, Public Works and Government Services Canada
Marcel Désilets, Manager, Procurement and Engineering and MPS, Commodity Management and Procurement Engineering Directorate, Public Works and Government Services Canada

Many of you may not realize that you have an “imaging environment”. It is, in fact, made up of the printing, copying, faxing and scanning equipment that you probably use every day in some capacity. It is also likely to be the last un-audited area of office expenditures and one where serious savings and efficiencies gains could be realized, as well as environmental and productivity advantages.

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is putting tools in place to help you optimize your department or agency’s imaging environment. Part of PWGSC’s procurement transformation initiative, the Managed Print Solution (MPS) commodity team is setting up supply arrangements to facilitate the engagement of imaging industry experts. They offer a coordinated approach to the better management of your organization’s imaging needs – from the right-sizing of the fleet to the full management of your imaging on a cost per page basis.

This presentation will give participants exposure to the new MPS supply arrangements, tools and techniques explaining their relevance as well as showing how they are to be used in tandem with the National Master Standing Offers (NMSO) for printers and digital copiers.

Ted Brown, Project Director, Integrated Spend Management Project, Administration Directorate, Canada Revenue Agency
Roger Houde, Director, Contracting Division, Administration Directorate, Canada Revenue Agency

The Contracting Division at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) continues to have success with their strategic sourcing initiatives. This presentation will give participants an update on where the Agency is today with this initiative and where they are headed.

The presentation will include a demonstration of CRA’s new spend management tool, Synergy and how data integrity and spend management form the foundation of the CRA’s focus on strategic sourcing. The presentation will also discuss the benefits of the technology to their clients through the ability to provide them with an analysis of their spend from contracts, e-procurement, acquisition cards and payment without reference as well as how the re-alignment of its work sections created a leaner procurement organization.

(Host) Gabriel Cormier – Environment Canada
(Judge) Michel Larivière – Environment Canada
(Registrar) Robert Merrick – Health Canada
(Complainant Lawyer) Mark Whelan – Transport Canada
(DCRC Program Official) Daniel Jean – Canadian Heritage
(Complainant) Richard Denault – Public Works and Government Services Canada
(DCRC Lawyer) Barry Parent – Environment Canada

The Department of Comic Relief Canada (DCRC) has been summoned by the Kangaroo Court of Canada. We will be calling on you here today to assist in the adjudication of a thorny legal challenge that did not, but could conceivably arise in the world of government contracting. This session will offer you the unique opportunity to be a judge, jury and prosecutor in this kangaroo court. See how an unclear statement of work and lack of assessment criteria will result in unexpected consequences and how interfering with a competition, even with the best of intentions, can expose the department to law suits. You be the judge!

Michael Corbett, A/Senior Director, Shared Travel Services Initiative, Acquisitions Branch, Public Works and Government Services Canada

The Shared Travel Services Initiative (STSI), using primarily outside suppliers, delivers a suite of end-to-end travel services to federal government business travellers. These services include a government designated travel card, a travel call centre, an on-line booking tool and an expense management tool. Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat developed the vision for STSI in 2001 and Public Works and Government Services Canada currently manages the project. The first set of components were made operational in 2004 with the entire suite completed by 2006. STSI is now focused on assisting departments with their adoptions levels – levels that are steadily increasing across the government. This project provides many lessons from change management and procurement perspectives, both for "shared services" and for outsourcing efforts. This presentation will focus on the original goals of the project, contrasting them with the achieved outcomes, and highlighting the main lessons learned.

Elisa Mayhew, Senior Director, Investment, Project Management, Procurement Policy Division, Assets and Acquired Services Directorate, Government Operations Sector, Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat

This session will provide an update on a wide-range of Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat policy activities with respect to Crown procurement contracts. The presentation will address a variety of issues, including comprehensive land claim agreements, title to intellectual property, limiting contractor liability, public-private partnership (P3) policy developments, former public servants, new free trade agreements and sole-source contracting.