Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously approved its position on two framework agreements for cellular data transmission, support and professional services. The agreements would go to Vidéotron ltée for the main service lot and TELUS Communications inc. for the backup lot, for a total estimated amount of $4,897,378.86, taxes included. City staff say the goal is to cover services that will no longer be included in a provincial purchasing agreement and to support continuity of city operations. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The proposed agreements run for 60 months, with two 24-month extension options each, according to the official title and staff summary.
- Vidéotron’s main lot is capped at $3,954,307.58; TELUS’s backup lot is capped at $943,071.28. The companies would provide services to the city on request.
- The services include cellular data plans, private networks, a management portal, support and professional services. The backup lot is meant to provide redundancy for some critical uses, using infrastructure separate from the main lot.
- The public call for tenders received four bids for each lot; two bids per lot were found technically compliant. Each selected firm submitted the lowest compliant bid for its lot.
- The resolution also calls for an evaluation of both companies’ performance.
What it means for you#
- City departments: The agreements would give departments a way to obtain cellular data and related services. The decision does not require any department or resident to sign up.
- Residents and taxpayers: This is a city purchasing decision. It does not directly change residents’ cellular plans, taxes or benefits.
- City administration: The city would pay for services ordered under the agreements and evaluate the firms’ performance.
Money#
The agreements have a combined maximum amount of $4,897,378.86, taxes included.
- The stated amounts are $3,954,307.58 for Vidéotron and $943,071.28 for TELUS. The decision summary calls the combined amount an estimate; the resolution gives the maximum amounts for each firm.
- Staff estimated the selected bids were 52.20% below the city’s estimate for the main lot and 29.93% below its estimate for the backup lot.
- No separate cost for administration or performance evaluations is provided.
What is unclear#
- The resolution does not state when the 60-month term would begin or how the extension options would be exercised. No publicly available information.
- The resolution says services will be provided on request, but does not give expected usage or actual spending. No publicly available information.
- The resolution requires performance evaluations but does not describe their timing or criteria. No publicly available information.
Case for#
- The agreements could cover services that city staff say will fall outside the province’s cellular purchasing agreement, helping address a gap in the city’s service arrangements.
- Separate infrastructure for the backup lot is intended to reduce the risk of simultaneous interruption for some critical uses.
- Both selected bids were below the city’s estimates, and each was the lowest compliant bid for its lot.
Case against#
- The winning bids were substantially below the city’s estimates, and the second-lowest compliant bids were 27.83% higher for the main lot and 40.57% higher for the backup lot. This wide price spread leaves uncertainty about how reliable the city’s estimates are.
- Because the city would order services as needed, the decision does not show how much of the maximum amount it will actually spend.