2.2.1 For administrative support and other categories both in the National Capital Region and other regions across Canada, as required in article 4.2, Related requirements, contracting authorities should give consideration to obtaining these services directly from companies with which the Department of Public Works and Government Services has entered into temporary help standing offers. Contracting authorities have the option of acquiring temporary help through a standing offer established by Public Works and Government Services, or by dealing directly, by means of a separate departmental standing offer or a contract with other suppliers.
2.2.1.1 Through the various regional offices across Canada, Public Works and Government Services issues a list of companies, including rates, terms and conditions, which contracting authorities may utilize in the engagement of temporary help. Public Works and Government Services, in consultation with the Public Service Commission, specifies in its standing offers with temporary help firms, the types and levels of employees to be provided and, where applicable, the test standards to be met by firms and the qualification standards required of employees. Public Works and Government Services requires the temporary help firms to replace immediately any of their employees whose performance is found to be unsatisfactory to the client department.
2.2.2 Call-ups against PWGSC standing offers should be reported to Public Works and Government Services.
2.2.3 The contractual arrangements of certain Public Works and Government Services standing offers provide alternative sources of supply with a range of different rates for similar services. In making call-ups against these standing offers, client contracting authorities should select specific firms based on cost-effectiveness considerations. Normally, the lowest-priced service should be chosen. It should be noted that sources supplying better quality services are not necessarily more highly-priced. Contracting authorities should not automatically select the same source for all requirements.