Government Temporary Help Services Advisory Committee Meeting Record of Decision - Friday October 02, 2009

• Agenda
• Record of Decisions

Agenda

Friday, October 02, 2009
9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
PDP III, 11C1 Boardroom 101
11 Laurier St, Gatineau, Québec

1. Introduction/new staff - Mr. Rick Sztramko
2. THS Web status - Debralee Ducharme
3. Bill 139 - Industry Reps
4. 2010 Refresh items for discussion - Mr. Jason Storm
5. Industry Client Feedback - Mr. Jason Storm / Mr. Rick Sztramko
6. Soliciting resources to change employers - Mr. Rick Sztramko
7. Round Table - All

Record of Decisions

In attendance

• Rick Sztramko, PWGSC (Chair)
• Jerome Thauvette, PWGSC (Director General)
• Debralee Ducharme, PWGSC
• Helen Seto, PWGSC
• Jason Storm, PWGSC
• Natasha Hickey, PWGSC
• Stephanie Riley, PWGSC
• Cheryl Moss, Health Canada (HC)
• Darin Hayduk, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)
• Julie Chartrand, Library and Archives Canada (LAC)
• Susan Ireland-Nadeau, Department of National Defence (DND)
• Dan Moorcraft, QMR Staffing
• Jeremy Ingle, The Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services (ACSESS)
• Kathryn Tremblay, ACSESS
• Martin Chénier, ACSESS
• Meredith Egan, ACSESS
• Paul Gagnon, Portage Personnel

Item

Item 1. Introductions to Committee Members

• Introduction of committee members
• New PWGSC THS team member with Procurement Strategies Division - Stephanie Riley

Item 2. THS Website Update Status

• The THS On-Line System team confirmed that the THS website has been updated to reflect the inclusion of documents (SO/SA, Annexes, Clarification and templates under the Federal Department User-Table of Contents page and the removal of "old orphan" links. Non-functioning "old orphan" links should generate a "HTTP Error 404-Not Found" to users. THS users are asked to remove any previous bookmarked links.
• Industry indicated that on the THS Website, Info for Federal Department Users, under item 10, THS Standing Offer (SO), A.7 Call-up Procedures of the THS Standing Offer indicates the following:

  A.7 Call-up Procedures
  The designated user sends their request to the lowest "Active SO Holder" with their requirements clearly set out and may require that Active Supplier provide a response: by close of business the next business day (5:00 p.m.); or, 48 hours from date of request; or Other (this allows users to specify longer periods).

  A clarification had been posted on the web site stating that the Federal Department User can approach as many suppliers as they deem necessary to fulfill their requirement as long as the selection of the successful supplier must be based on the "Right of first refusal", which means that a Federal Department User must award the call-up to the lowest priced qualified Supplier.

Item 3. Bill 139 (Chapter 9 Statutes of Ontario, 2000) Employment Standards Act

• Industry expressed concerns that Bill 139, effective November 6, 2009, will have significant impact on their business (ie: charging of transfer fees to clients and notice of termination for assigned resources after 3 month assignments). Industry also stressed the need for Federal Department Users to provide the call-up document before the resource starts work and is seeking PWGSC assistance in incorporating a minimum period for departments to provide notice where a call-up is no longer needed. This would permit THS suppliers to provide the minimum notice to their THS resources. PWGSC will review the information submitted by industry and determine if a minimum call-up cancellation notice can be implemented in the current THS.

Item 4. 2010 SO/SA Refresh Items

• There will be discussion of the financial evaluation, which will impact the ceiling hourly rates submitted by suppliers.

  PWGSC indicated that with the refresh 2010, THS On-line System would maintain the weekly price revision process of the Standing Offer as is.

• Industry raised concerns that client departments are not using the THS SA as frequently as expected. Federal Departments Users are restricted with financial delegation authorities required to issue contracts under the THS SA. PWGSC understands that the restrictions with financial delegated authorities are a roadblock.

  PWGSC will endeavour to enhance the training to the Federal Department Users on the use of the SA Component.

• Proposed modifications to four (4) existing THS Classifications and the addition of two (2) new classifications were distributed amongst members. Industry and Federal Department Users representatives are to provide feedback to PWGSC regarding these classification descriptions.

Item 5. Industry Client Feedback Questionnaires

• Committee members received copies of the draft THS Feedback Questionnaires for Suppliers and Federal Department Users to review. The feedback is to help improve THS. Committee members are to forward their comments on these questionnaires to PWGSC. PWGSC indicated that these questionnaires would be distributed to all industry SO/SA holders and to several of the top ten (10) Federal Departments by utilization. Issuance of both questionnaires is scheduled for early November 2009.

Item 6. Solicitation of Resources to Change Employers

• Industry emphasized the ongoing unacceptable practice of clients or suppliers encouraging resource placements currently registered with one THS supplier to register with another THS supplier to obtain contracts. As mentioned in the previous ROD (May  7, 2009), PWGSC will continue to promulgate these unacceptable practices through the Assessment Framework, training and the website.

Item 7. Round Table

• Other Items
  PWGSC will release a communications bulletin on Closure of Government Offices as a preparedness measure for H1N1 impact for THS resources and will post it on October 5, 2009, on the THS website
• Staffing Arrangement Fees
  PWGSC confirmed that the terms and conditions wording regarding the Staffing Arrangement Fee would be revised for the SO/SA 2010 refresh.
• SO Holder/Supplier - Marketing
  PWGSC has been informed that some SO Holders and pre-qualified suppliers under Solicitation No. EN578-060502/C appear to be misleading Federal Department Users by providing erroneous information and reproducing material from PWGSC's website in their marketing and advertising initiatives. SO/SA holders are reminded to adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards when marketing to promote THS. Industry members were also informed that a clear notification would be going to all THS suppliers in this regard.

Item 8. Next Meeting

• The date of the next meeting has not been determined. A meeting confirmation, agenda and location will be sent to members via e-mail prior to the meeting.