Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted a position on a proposed three-year, direct-award contract with ABB inc. for the Jean-R.-Marcotte wastewater treatment plant’s control system. The position is to award the contract for $3,241,593.70, taxes included, and to evaluate ABB’s performance at the end. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The proposed contract runs from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2029. It covers support and upgrades to SICOS, the plant’s integrated process control and monitoring system, as well as equipment purchases.
- ABB would provide, among other services, 24/7 technical support, remote troubleshooting, on-site help when needed, corrective maintenance, software upgrades, security-patch services, training, and disaster-recovery services. Specialists and parts may be charged separately under the contract.
- The city’s decision says the contract should be awarded directly to ABB as the sole supplier. City staff say ABB holds the system rights and is the only firm able to supply compatible parts and the required services.
- The proposed cost would be paid from the agglomeration’s funds: $2,401,252.91 from an existing borrowing bylaw and $840,340.79 from the wastewater treatment directorate’s operating budget.
What it means for you#
- People whose wastewater is treated at the plant: The contract concerns the system used to control and monitor most plant processes. It does not directly change household water or sewer rules.
- ABB inc.: If the agglomeration council approves the contract, ABB would provide the contracted support and upgrades, and its performance would be evaluated at the end.
- Agglomeration taxpayers: The proposed cost would be charged to the agglomeration, with the stated split between borrowing and operating funds. The materials do not say whether this would change any tax or fee.
Money#
The proposed contract costs $3,241,593.70, taxes included, or $2,960,007.12 net of federal and provincial tax rebates.
- The amount includes $2,401,252.91 financed through borrowing bylaw RCG 22-007 and $840,340.79 from the operating budget.
- The resolution provides for additional specialist services billed at hourly rates and purchases of ABB parts, but the supplied material does not give separate rates or quantities.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not include the agglomeration council’s final decision.
- The contract includes hourly specialist services and parts purchases, but does not give their rates or expected quantities.
- The city staff summary says a 10-year study compared three options and found migration to newer ABB technology the most economical and lowest-risk option. The study and its comparison details are not included.
Case for#
- The control system is central to operating the plant. City staff say continued support is needed to maintain its reliability and availability.
- City staff say the existing technology is obsolete and no longer supported by its manufacturer. The contract’s “evolution” work would support migration to newer technology.
- Staff report that the 10-year study found this migration option both the most economical and the lowest operational risk of the three options considered.
Case against#
- The direct award means there is no competitive bid comparison in the supplied material. The city relies on ABB’s exclusive rights and ability to provide compatible parts and services.
- The materials do not include the lifecycle study, so readers cannot assess the alternatives or the basis for the staff’s cost and risk comparison.
- The contract’s hourly specialist work and parts purchases add costs whose rates and quantities are not stated.