UPDATE - January 30, 2013

An official in the office of the Minister of Transport has contacted the CTF to explain the mystery of the BMW X5.

"The MERX RFP referred to in this blog posting is for Transport Canada road safety testing. It has a new feature that has not yet been tested.

It’s an emissions/fuel related test (not crash) and so the vehicle will be sold after the testing is complete.

No official will be driving around Ottawa in a new X5," wrote Vanessa Schneider, director of stakeholder relations and strategic planning, in an email. 

The CTF had contacted department officials prior to posting the blog to obtain clarification, and was unable to obtain information regarding the use of the X5.

Initial Post - January 29th, 2013

Want to drive the same fancy car as actress Reese Witherspoon? For most Canadians that is simply not an option. But not so for some lucky employee in the Government of Canada who will be driving a new BMW X5 – a premium SUV from the German automaker – according to a Request for Proposal (RFP) opened to car dealerships by the Department of Public Works. The bid was sent to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation by a helpful tipster.

The department, which is responsible for government acquisitions, is purchasing the BMW on behalf of Transport Canada. The base price is $61,800, but a fully loaded version of the car costs $76,700.

The details of the RFP show that Transport Canada is very picky when it comes to their luxury vehicles.

The proposed contract states that the “interior and exterior must be cleaned before leaving the factory” and that “the fuel tanks must be at least half full prior to release of the vehicle to Transport Canada personnel.”

Their delivery instructions are also curious. They state that “delivery must be made by the most economical mean.” But in the same paragraph, they demand that the car be delivered via “flatbed tow truck.” According to Ottawa Metro and Towing, flatbed transportation costs $125/hour.

Upon delivery, an “authorized, qualified” government employee will perform an inspection to ensure that the car meets their high standards.  

Here’s a description of the X5 from a BMW brochure.

“And no vehicle excels at discovering these pleasurable moments quite like the BMW X5. Brimming with the latest technologies, armed with precision handling, powered by a thrilling, highly refined engine, the X5 driving experience is inspiring, vigorous, and altogether breathtaking.”

Besides Witherspoon, the car is driven by the following high-flying celebrities according to Celebrity Car Blogs:

• Singer Alanis Morisette
• Actress Gwyneth Paltrow
• Jersey Shore star JWoww
• Black Eyed Peas Singer Fergie and her husband, actor Josh Duhamel
• Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria
• Spice Girl singer Melanie C
• How I Met your Mother star Rachel Bilson
• The Hills star Stephanie Pratt
• Saved by the Bell actress Elizabeth Berkley