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Feds plan to run open competitions for some COVID-19 medical supplies: Anand

Jun 23, 2020 | 10:28 AM

OTTAWA — The federal Liberals say the government will go back to using competitive bid processes to get protective equipment needed across the country due to COVID-19.

Procurement Minister Anita Anand says the process usually used to award contracts will only apply in situations where there is enough time to run a competition.

The government is spending billions of dollars to acquire everything from ventilators to masks, though a full accounting is not expected for months.

Many contracts have been signed using national security exemptions to quickly snap up gear in high demand globally.

Speaking at a midday press conference, Anand says nine more cargo planes carrying supplies such as gloves, gowns and masks arrived in the last week.

She says another shipment of hand sanitizer, the country’s 13th, arrived at the Port  of Vancouver in recent days.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 23, 2020.

The Canadian Press