Summary#
Montréal city council adopted its position in favour of awarding a negotiated contract to SAS Institute (Canada) inc. through the Centre d’acquisitions gouvernementales (CAG). The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting. The goal, according to city staff, is to keep the City’s mainframe SAS software and the critical applications that rely on it running and supported.
- The proposed contract covers five years, stated as October 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031, with five optional one-year extensions.
- It renews maintenance for software the City already licenses and uses; it does not create a new software program.
- The contract includes software updates and security fixes, technical support, and the option to acquire additional software copies if needs grow.
- A City information-technology director would be authorized to sign related contract documents if the award proceeds.
What it means for you#
- City operations: City staff say the software supports critical applications, including several used by the Montréal police service. The renewal would provide updates, security fixes and manufacturer support, including 24-hour support every day of the year.
- Residents and taxpayers: The decision does not directly change residents’ services, taxes or eligibility for benefits. The proposed cost would be charged to the City’s operating budget.
Money#
The proposed five-year contract costs up to $157,151.28, taxes included ($143,500.07 net of taxes); five optional extensions are estimated at $182,257.22, taxes included.
- The City says the required funds are included in the information-technology service’s operating budget and were considered in setting expenses charged to the agglomeration budget.
- The contract is negotiated through the CAG agreement. The materials do not report a call for tenders or competing bids.
What is unclear#
- The agglomeration council’s final decision is not in these materials.
- The materials do not say whether the City will use any extension options, or how much each option would cost.
- The stated five-year term runs from October 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031; the materials do not explain this date range.
Case for#
- City staff say the software supports critical City and police applications, so maintaining it could help avoid disruption to those operations.
- The contract would provide access to updates, security fixes and technical support from the software publisher.
- City staff say buying through the CAG agreement provides government pricing and volume discounts.
Case against#
- A negotiated contract does not show whether competing offers could have reduced the price. City staff say SAS holds exclusive rights to the licences and is the only provider of compatible updates and security fixes.
- The five extension options could add substantial spending, but the materials do not say whether they will be used.