Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously set its position on a contract for Cloud Monitored Objects inc. to support and maintain vehicle communication equipment for the Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal (Montréal Fire Department, SIM). The council’s resolution directs that the contract cover two years, for up to $765,701.31, taxes included; the agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The work includes maintaining and repairing modems and software, managing and monitoring equipment, on-demand installation and removal, 24/7 on-site support, and managing the inventory and assignment of vehicle computers and docking stations.
- The public call for tenders received two bids. Cloud Monitored Objects was the only compliant bidder; the other bid was rejected as technically non-compliant.
- The resolution requires an evaluation of the company’s performance and authorizes a city director to sign documents related to the contract.
- The title mentions two optional 12-month extensions, but the resolution’s operative text specifies a two-year term and does not set out those options.
What it means for you#
- Fire department and city operations: The contract is intended to support communications equipment used in SIM vehicles. City staff say the service is needed for continuity as the two existing support contracts expire in April 2026.
- Residents: The decision does not directly change residents’ rights, fees, or access to a service.
- City: If the contract proceeds, the city will pay for the specified services and evaluate the contractor’s performance.
Money#
The contract amount is capped at $765,701.31, taxes included, for the two-year term stated in the resolution.
- The decision summary allocates $368,232.73 to annual support and maintenance and $397,468.58 to services requested as needed.
- City staff’s estimate was $1,214,771.93, taxes included. They report that the compliant bid was 37% below that estimate.
- The materials do not give a separate cost for any extension options.
What is unclear#
- The title refers to two 12-month extension options, but the resolution does not set out those options or say whether they are authorized.
- The materials do not explain the detailed service standards, response times, or remedies if service is inadequate.
- The resolution requires a performance evaluation, but the materials do not specify its timing, criteria, or consequences.
Case for#
- The existing support contracts are due to expire in April 2026. Combining services in one contract could help maintain support for SIM equipment.
- The bid is substantially below the city’s estimate, which staff attribute partly to combining two contracts into one.
- The city plans to evaluate the contractor’s performance.
Case against#
- Only one of the two submitted bids was compliant, so there was no second compliant bid to compare against.
- The winning bid was 37% below the city’s estimate. Staff suggest possible reasons, including aggressive pricing, but the materials do not establish whether the price will be sustainable.
- The title and resolution differ on whether the contract includes extension options, leaving the contract’s possible full duration unclear.