Summary#
Montréal city council awarded J.A. Larue inc. a contract to supply two mechanized pothole patching machines. The total authorized spending is $781,460.93, taxes included: the contract price plus a contingency budget. City staff say the machines are intended to support road repairs.
- The public call for tenders received three bids. J.A. Larue was the lowest compliant bidder.
- The machines are for the Service de la concertation des arrondissements et de l’expérience citoyenne to use in city operations.
- The contract includes training, technical documents in French, support and a warranty of at least one year. Delivery is due 180 days after the purchase order for the first machine and 210 days for the second.
- The city may later choose to buy winter-use equipment for $25,294.50, taxes included. This option is not part of the approved total.
What it means for you#
- Residents: The decision buys equipment for city pothole repairs. It does not guarantee faster repairs or change how residents report potholes.
- City operations: J.A. Larue must supply the machines at firm prices, with no price adjustment. The council also directed the city to evaluate the company’s performance.
- Taxpayers: The expense is funded through borrowing bylaw 25-020 and is assigned entirely to the central city.
Money#
The approved spending is $781,460.93, taxes included.
- This is $710,419.03 for the contract and $71,041.90 for contingencies to cover possible equipment or accessory additions or changes.
- The optional winter-use equipment would cost an additional $25,294.50, taxes included, if the city chooses to buy it.
- J.A. Larue’s bid was 17.46% below the city’s estimate. The next-lowest compliant bid was 53.25% higher than J.A. Larue’s bid.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not give the machines’ expected service life or their ongoing operating and maintenance costs.
- The city may use the contingency for additions or changes, but the specific items that might be purchased are not listed.
- The city has not decided whether to exercise the winter-equipment option.
Case for#
- City staff say specialized machines are needed to support road maintenance and mechanized pothole repairs.
- The machines let one operator carry out the patching process from the vehicle cabin; staff say this supports efficient and safe work.
- J.A. Larue’s bid was the lowest compliant one among three bids and was below the city’s estimate.
Case against#
- The decision authorizes a contingency budget, but does not specify what additions or changes might use it.
- The tender documents did not include penalties, so penalties do not apply to this contract.
- The materials do not state the machines’ expected service life or total costs after the warranty period.