A company called "Fast" is being hired for the computer work to re-implement the PST in British Columbia.

On Oct. 7 the province posted a notice saying it intends to directly award a contract to Fast Canadian Enterprises Ltd. for work expected to continue from Oct. 5, 2011 until Jan. 1, 2014.

The provincial government has been under pressure, including during question period this week, to reduce uncertainty by returning to the PST as quickly as possible following the defeat of the HST in an August mail-in referendum result. Finance Minister Kevin Falcon has said the transition will take about 18 months and will be done sooner if possible.

Fast developed the GenTax software package which has been used for the PST, the notice said. "Pursuant to an existing license agreement, the Province holds a perpetual right to use the GenTax product, including any new versions which become available."

Fast holds the rights to GenTax and is the only provider that can configure the system for the government, the notice said. "Fast is the sole service provider capable of providing the goods and performing the services required by the Province within the restricted time frame required to re-implement the PST. "

Other suppliers who believe they could do the job have until 2 p.m. on Oct. 17 to make their case.

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.