Investigation Report: Ombudsman Act –  Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation

2017-05-25

Summary

An individual believed that the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation (MHRC) had retained architectural services for a project without a competitive bidding process. MHRC explained to us that rather than using a competitive process, it expanded the scope of existing contracts it had awarded after a public tendering process. We found that while MHRC’s decision deviated from existing procedure, MHRC’s rationale for its approach in this case was reasonable. We also found that the agreement to expand the scope of the work was initially done without putting the details in writing. We recommended that when tendering contracts that may be extended, MHRC should look at opportunities to clearly communicate this intent to potential bidders at the outset of the process and that MHRC formally document its commitments of public funds in exchange for goods and services. MHRC accepted our recommendations.

Case 2014-0510