Summary#
Montréal City Council adopted a position supporting a sole-source contract with Bentley Systems inc. for technical support and updates to the City’s permanent software licences from March 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting. City staff say the goal is to maintain and update software used for mapping, engineering, infrastructure and other municipal work.
- The proposed contract is for up to $457,415.79, taxes included.
- The City’s position is to authorize the director of the Information Technology Service’s Direction solutions d'affaires – Gestion du territoire to sign documents related to the contract.
- City staff say Bentley software is used by about 20 boroughs and central services. The software includes tools for computer-aided design, mapping and site design.
What it means for you#
- Residents: The decision does not directly change residents’ rights, fees or access to a service. City staff say the software supports municipal operations and projects.
- City departments and boroughs: If the contract is approved by the agglomeration council, they would continue to have technical support and updates for the covered Bentley licences.
- City staff: The proposed contract includes technical support and software updates. City staff describe the support as available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Money#
The proposed contract would cost up to $457,415.79, taxes included ($417,681.59 net of taxes).
- The expense would come from the Information Technology Service’s operating budget.
- The amount is $43,158.48 (10.42%) more than the 2025–2026 contract. City staff attribute the increase to a manufacturer price adjustment applied since April 1, 2025.
- The contract is proposed as a direct award to Bentley, described in the materials as the exclusive supplier; no call for tenders or bid count is provided.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not detail the specific response times or other service standards Bentley must meet.
- They do not describe any renewal option beyond the one-year period.
- The materials say Bentley is the exclusive supplier but do not compare the proposed price with other options.
Case for#
- City staff say renewing support would keep existing Bentley software updated, including security fixes, and help avoid service interruptions.
- The software is already used in municipal work such as mapping, infrastructure design and management of city assets.
- A direct award may fit the City’s stated reason that Bentley alone can provide updates and support for its software.
Case against#
- A sole-source contract offers no competitive bids in the materials to compare with the proposed price.
- The contract amount has risen 10.42% from the previous year; the materials attribute this to a manufacturer adjustment but do not provide further pricing detail.
- The materials do not set out detailed service standards or explain how the City would assess whether the support meets its needs.