Summary#
Montréal city council approved a 24-month framework agreement with Reliure Travaction (1991) inc. to bind and repair documents for Montréal libraries, for up to $633,814.06, taxes included. The city will order services as needed; City staff say the work is intended to help preserve library books and periodicals.
- The public call for tenders received one bid. Reliure Travaction’s bid was deemed compliant.
- The agreement runs for 24 months from its award date. The resolution does not set a renewal option.
- The city must evaluate the company’s performance and pay for orders from the relevant operating budgets as needs arise.
What it means for you#
- Library users: The decision funds binding and repair services for library books and periodicals. It does not directly change library access or services.
- The city and contractor: Reliure Travaction must provide services when the city requests them, up to the agreement’s maximum amount. The resolution does not require the city to spend the full amount.
Money#
The agreement allows spending of up to $633,814.06, taxes included, over 24 months.
- Orders will be placed as needed, and each purchase order requires credit approval. The expense is to be paid from city operating budgets and borne entirely by the central city.
- City staff estimated the need at $645,975.54, taxes included. The bid was $12,161.48 lower, about 2% below that estimate.
- The bid excluded one rarely needed service item, estimated at $360, from the agreement.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not state how much the city will actually order or spend.
- The excluded service item will not be covered by this agreement; the materials do not say how the city will obtain it if needed.
- The resolution requires a performance evaluation, but does not give its timing or explain what action could follow from it.
Case for#
- City staff say binding and repairing documents can extend their useful life and reduce the need to replace damaged books and periodicals.
- The sole bid was found compliant, and its total was below the city’s estimate.
Case against#
- Only one company bid, so the city had limited competition to test the price.
- Actual spending depends on future orders, and the agreement does not guarantee that the full range of needs—including the excluded service item—will be covered.