Summary#
On June 15, 2026, Montréal city council adopted a unanimous position in favour of a 24-month framework agreement with the Centre d'acquisitions gouvernementales (Government Acquisitions Centre, CAG). The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting. The stated goal, according to city staff, is to maintain and modernize the City’s network infrastructure.
- The proposed agreement would let City units buy network equipment through the CAG’s group-purchasing arrangement, up to a maximum of $12,014,887.50, taxes included.
- The agreement would cover switches, firewalls, routers, wireless equipment and related accessories and components.
- The proposed term is May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2028. The City’s purchases would be made as needs arise, with each purchase authorized separately.
- The City’s Director of Infrastructure and Operations in the Information Technology Service would be authorized to sign documents related to the agreement.
- The agreement does not include professional services such as installation, configuration or network design; those would need separate procurement.
What it means for you#
- City departments: If the agglomeration council approves the agreement, City units could buy the listed equipment through the group purchase. It does not require them to buy the full maximum amount.
- Residents: The decision does not directly change residents’ rights, fees or services. City staff say the equipment is intended to support reliable network operations, but the decision does not guarantee a particular result.
Money#
The proposed agreement has a maximum value of $12,014,887.50, taxes included; actual spending would depend on later purchases.
- The agreement itself does not assign a budget amount. Each purchase would need separate authorization and a purchase order, funded from existing Information Technology Service budgets for projects or operating needs.
- The City says the CAG’s 1% management fee is included in the prices of goods and services.
- The eventual split of costs between City and agglomeration responsibilities cannot be determined until specific purchases are made.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not name suppliers, list prices or give a bid count or procurement method for this group-purchasing arrangement.
- The amount the City will actually spend, and how purchases will be divided between City and agglomeration budgets, are not yet known.
- The materials do not give details of the separate procurement needed for professional services, if those services are required.
Case for#
- City staff say some equipment is nearing the end of its useful life and that the City needs network equipment to maintain and modernize its infrastructure.
- Buying through a group arrangement may offer economies of scale and simplify purchasing, as city staff expect.
- Purchases as needs arise, with separate authorization, mean the maximum agreement value is not a commitment to spend that full amount.
Case against#
- The maximum value is substantial, while the materials do not show expected spending or item-by-item prices.
- Without supplier, bid-count or procurement details, readers cannot assess how the arrangement compares with other options.
- Equipment purchases alone do not cover installation, configuration or network design; those services would require separate procurement if needed.