Summary#
Montréal city council approved the first 12-month extension of Placement Potentiel inc.’s cleaning contract for the common areas of Marché Bonsecours, at 350 rue Saint-Paul Est. The extension runs from February 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027, and was adopted unanimously. City staff say it will continue the cleaning service.
- The city authorized $147,974.74 for the service, plus $14,797.47 for contingencies, for a total of $162,772.21, all exempt from taxes.
- The contract covers daily cleaning and an annual deep clean. The contractor supplies the workers, cleaning materials and hygiene products, seven days a week for 363 days a year.
- The original three-year contract was awarded to Placement Potentiel as the lowest compliant bidder. It followed public call for tenders 22-19592; the number of bids is not given. The contract included two 12-month extension options, and the company accepted this first extension.
What it means for you#
- Marché Bonsecours visitors: The city is continuing cleaning of the common areas under the existing contract. Cleaning of reception rooms and restaurant equipment remains the responsibility of Événements Marché Bonsecours Inc., under its separate agreement with the city.
- Placement Potentiel inc.: The company will continue providing the contracted services for 12 more months.
- Taxpayers: The city’s central administration will pay the full cost from the property management service’s operating budget.
Money#
The city authorized an additional $162,772.21, exempt from taxes, including contingencies.
- The decision summary says this is funded entirely from the city’s operating budget and paid entirely by the city centre.
- The official title says the contract total becomes $640,811. But the earlier award amount in the summary ($434,580.72) plus this extension ($162,772.21) equals $597,352.93. The materials do not explain the difference.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not state how many bids were received for the 2022 call for tenders.
- The contract allows a second 12-month extension, but this decision does not say whether the city will use it.
- The reported contract total is inconsistent with the earlier award amount and the new spending authorization.
Case for#
- City staff say the current service is satisfactory and the contractor has accepted the extension.
- Staff say extending the contract will keep the service in place and avoid relying on occasional cleaning services, which they expect would cost more.
- The extension uses an option included in the contract awarded through a public call for tenders.
Case against#
- The city is committing additional public funds, including a contingency budget, without the materials comparing this extension’s price with other available offers.
- The unexplained difference in the reported contract total makes the full contract cost harder to assess.