Summary#
Montréal’s city council unanimously set the city’s position in favour of a 15-month contract with Ondel inc. to connect equipment at the Pointe-Claire drinking-water plant. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The proposed contract covers removing obsolete equipment; supplying, installing, testing and commissioning connection panels and cables; connecting equipment supplied under a separate contract; and providing plans and training.
- Ondel was the lowest compliant bidder in a public call for tenders. Both bids received were compliant.
- The city’s position includes $823,523.38 for the contract, $123,528.51 for contingencies and $30,000 for incidental expenses—all amounts include taxes.
What it means for you#
- Agglomeration and water service: If the agglomeration council approves the contract, Ondel would do the work at the Pointe-Claire plant. City staff say the plant supplies drinking water to Kirkland, Baie-D’Urfé, Beaconsfield, Pointe-Claire and Dollard-des-Ormeaux.
- Residents and businesses served by the plant: The decision does not directly change water rates, service rules or eligibility for water service.
- Taxpayers: The decision summary says the agglomeration would bear the expense. It would be financed through borrowing bylaw RCG 23-031.
Money#
The authorized total in the city’s position is $977,051.89, taxes included; the decision summary gives a net cost of $849,795.08 after federal and provincial tax rebates.
- The contract price is $823,523.38, taxes included. The contingency budget is $123,528.51, and the incidental-expense budget is $30,000, both taxes included.
- Two firms submitted compliant bids. Ondel’s bid was below the city’s estimate; the other bid was $169,654.71 higher, including contingencies.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not explain how the city would approve or track the use of contingency and incidental-expense budgets.
- The dates in the decision summary are a planned schedule, not a guarantee of when the work will be completed.
Case for#
- City staff say the generators are aging, their control panels are obsolete, and replacement parts are no longer available.
- City staff say the work is intended to support the plant’s ability to produce and distribute drinking water during prolonged power failures or other major disruptions.
- Ondel was the lowest compliant bidder, and its bid was below the city’s estimate.
Case against#
- The total authorized amount is $153,528.51 above the base contract price because it includes contingency and incidental-expense budgets.
- Only two firms submitted bids; a third firm that obtained the tender documents withdrew, saying it did not have enough time to prepare a bid.