Dispute resolution services
Suppliers and federal government departments can seek the assistance of the Office of the Procurement Ombudsman (the Office) to help resolve contractual disputes.
Given the significant number of contracts that the federal government is party to, disputes between the government and its contractors are inevitable. When disputes arise during the performance of a contract, they have immediate negative repercussions and can distract contractors and government officials from what their focus should be - the completion of the contract on time and within budget. For the contractor, disputes can lead to increased costs and damaged reputations. For the government, disputes can jeopardize the timely completion of contracts and quality of deliverables. It is in both parties' best interests to have disputes resolved quickly and efficiently.
The Office provides dispute resolution services for disputes relating to the interpretation or application of the terms and conditions of a contract. One of the parties to the contract must request the service, whether it is by the supplier or the government organization. Both parties to the contract must agree to participate as it is a voluntary process.
When both parties agree to participate, we will notify each party and provide them with a proposal outlining what participants can expect, including logistical information (place, time, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding the Office's service to resolve contract disputes, please contact us by calling our toll-free number: 1-866-734-5169 or via email at opo-boa@opo-boa.gc.ca.
Please visit the Alternative Dispute Resolution—Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
To submit a request for alternative dispute resolution services, please complete the Request for Alternative Dispute Resolution form.
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