Summary#
Montréal City Council unanimously adopted its position on a framework agreement with Data Communications Management Corp. for thermal-paper offence notices. The agreement is for 24 months, with a 12-month renewal option; the stated goal is to keep these forms supplied to the city’s services and linked municipalities. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The agreement covers deliveries on request for the SPVM, the Agence de mobilité durable (AMD) and linked municipalities.
- Data Communications Management Corp. was the lowest compliant bidder in a public call for tenders; two bids were received.
- The city’s position authorizes up to $921,846.56, taxes included, plus $92,184.66, taxes included, for possible quantity changes. Orders depend on need and credit approval.
- The resolution requires an evaluation of the supplier’s performance.
What it means for you#
- Police, mobility and municipal services: They would order compatible, pre-printed offence notices as needed. The agreement does not require them to buy a set quantity.
- Residents and drivers: The decision concerns the supply of paper forms. It does not change what conduct is an offence or the fines.
- Taxpayers: City staff say costs will be shared, with 73.33% paid by the AMD and 26.67% by the agglomeration, including the SPVM and linked municipalities.
Money#
The estimated agreement amount is $1,014,031.21, taxes included; purchases would be made as needed, not as one upfront payment.
- The resolution sets a maximum of $921,846.56, taxes included, and authorizes $92,184.66 for possible quantity changes. Those figures add to $1,014,031.22, one cent more than the stated estimate.
- The winning bid was about 16% below the other compliant bid and 36.36% below the city’s estimate, according to city staff.
- Prices are firm for the initial period; city staff say prices may be adjusted using the industrial product price index during renewal.
What is unclear#
- The staff summary gives dates that do not match the stated term: it lists a start of January 1, 2026, an end of December 31, 2028, and a renewal period ending in 2029. Those dates appear inconsistent with a 24-month term and 12-month option.
- The resolution’s stated total and the sum of its two authorized amounts differ by one cent.
- The final decision of the agglomeration council is not included in these materials.
Case for#
- A possible argument for the agreement is that it gives the services a way to order forms when needed, instead of negotiating each purchase separately.
- The selected bid was the lowest compliant one and was substantially below the city’s estimate, according to staff.
Case against#
- Only two bids were received, and one other firm that obtained the tender documents said it could not supply the requested product, according to staff.
- The contract includes a renewal option with a price adjustment, and the materials do not give the cost if that option is used.