Summary#
Montréal City Council unanimously adopted a position in favour of awarding a contract to Marco Cournoyer inspections inc. (Protection incendie MCI) for fire alarm and protection system inspections and maintenance at the Jean-R.-Marcotte wastewater treatment plant. This is not the final contract award: the agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting. City staff say the work is intended to help protect people, property and the plant’s operations.
- The proposed contract covers 36 months, from September 2026 to August 2029, with an option to extend for 24 months.
- The contract covers 15 buildings and systems including fire pumps, sprinklers, alarms, smoke detectors, portable extinguishers, and halon, foam and Novec systems. It also includes 600 hours for service calls to program new fire alarm panels.
- The proposed contract price is $1,774,912.25, taxes included, plus $114,975 for contingencies, for a total of $1,889,887.25, taxes included.
- The contract followed a public call for tenders with four bids. Two were compliant; Marco Cournoyer was the lowest compliant bidder. The resolution also calls for an evaluation of the company’s performance.
What it means for you#
- People served by the agglomeration: The work is intended to maintain fire safety systems at the wastewater treatment plant. City staff say system failures could cause major financial and environmental damage.
- Taxpayers in the agglomeration: The agglomeration would pay for the expense from operating budgets for wastewater treatment. The decision does not directly change personal taxes, fees or services.
- Marco Cournoyer inspections inc.: The company would receive the contract if the agglomeration council approves the city’s position.
Money#
The proposed expense is $1,889,887.25, taxes included; the materials also give a net cost after tax rebates.
- The contract price is $1,774,912.25, with $114,975 set aside for contingencies. The net cost after tax rebates is $1,725,718.96.
- If the 24-month extension option is exercised, its estimated value is $1,183,274.83, taxes included. That amount is separate from the stated $1,889,887.25 total.
- The total bid, including contingencies, is $263,015.72 (16.17%) above the city’s estimate. The other compliant bid was $2,055,637.15, taxes included, including contingencies.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not say whether the extension option will be exercised.
- They do not explain how the contingency budget would be used, or give a breakdown of expected inspection, repair and service-call work.
- The 600-hour bank is specified, but the materials do not explain what happens if those hours are used up or remain unused.
Case for#
- City staff say regular inspections and maintenance help protect people and the plant’s assets and operations.
- Marco Cournoyer was the lowest of the two compliant bidders after a public call for tenders.
Case against#
- The bid is 16.17% above the city’s estimate. Staff attribute the difference in part to higher hourly rates for service calls, repairs and annual inspections.
- The potential 24-month extension has a substantial estimated cost, but the materials do not explain the conditions for using it.