Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted a position supporting a 24-month framework agreement with Gestion CDEDQ inc. (Compteurs d'eau du Québec) to supply 40 mm and 50 mm water meters. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting. The stated purpose is to supply meters for the City’s water network.
- The agreement would allow the supplier to provide meters on request, up to a maximum of $685,538.44, taxes included.
- The planned supply is 750 meters for non-residential sectors: 450 of 40 mm and 300 of 50 mm. The agreement is for estimated needs; it does not state a minimum purchase.
- Two firms submitted compliant bids. Gestion CDEDQ’s bid was the lower one.
What it means for you#
- City boroughs and central services: Their budgets would cover orders as needs arise.
- Non-residential properties: The agreement would supply meters for the City’s meter-installation project. This decision does not itself require a property to install a meter.
- Residents and businesses: The decision does not create a new fee or change water rates.
Money#
The proposed agreement has a maximum value of $685,538.44, taxes included.
- The City would place orders as needed and charge the expenses to borough and central-service budgets.
- City staff’s estimate was $819,196.88. The lower compliant bid was 16.32% below that estimate.
- The other compliant bid was $693,233.71, taxes included. No contract contingency or increase in quantities is planned.
What is unclear#
- The agreement lists estimated quantities, but does not guarantee how many meters will actually be ordered.
- The materials do not give a breakdown of expected orders or costs among boroughs, central services, and other cities in the agglomeration.
- City staff say past meter purchases were entirely within agglomeration authority on average, but that history does not guarantee how this agreement will be used.
Case for#
- The lower compliant bid was below the City’s estimate and the other compliant bid.
- City staff say delaying the contract could disrupt meter installations and lead to loss of consumption data from non-residential sites.
- Ordering meters as needs arise would let the City use the agreement for demand during its 24-month term.
Case against#
- The total is a maximum, but the actual number of meters ordered and the final spending are uncertain.
- The materials do not explain how orders will be divided among the municipalities and City units using the agreement.