Biosphère cleaning contract extended 12 months

Summary#

Montréal city council unanimously set its position in favour of extending Proprecan inc.’s cleaning contract for the Biosphère by 12 months, from November 1, 2026, to October 31, 2027. It also supported additional spending of $202,036.26, taxes included, including a contingency budget of $26,352.55. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.

  • The extension is an option in the existing contract, originally awarded to Proprecan after a public call for tenders that received four bids.
  • The authorized amount covers $175,683.71 for the services and $26,352.55 in contingencies.
  • The contractor must provide cleaning staff, cleaning materials and hygiene products every day of the year.
  • The city staff report says the full cost will be paid from the agglomeration’s operating budget for property management.

What it means for you#

  • Biosphère occupants and visitors: If approved by the agglomeration council, cleaning services would continue for another 12 months. City staff say not extending the contract could interrupt service.
  • General public: This decision does not directly change public access, fees or rules at the Biosphère.

Money#

The proposed additional spending is $202,036.26, taxes included; the materials provide no separate estimate of savings or other costs.

  • The $175,683.71 service cost is split between 2026 ($28,060.70) and 2027 ($147,623.01).
  • The $26,352.55 contingency budget is also split between 2026 ($4,209.10) and 2027 ($22,143.45).
  • City staff say the agglomeration will pay the full amount from its operating budget.

What is unclear#

  • The decision title says the total contract would rise to $815,782.98. Adding the stated previous total of $613,746.71 to the new $202,036.26 gives $815,782.97, a one-cent difference.
  • The materials do not say how much, if any, of the contingency budget will be used.

Case for#

  • City staff say Proprecan’s service has been satisfactory and the company has accepted the extension.
  • Staff say extending the contract would keep cleaning services in place and avoid possible interruption or higher-cost, short-term services.

Case against#

  • One concern is that the extension adds a contingency budget of $26,352.55, but the materials do not explain what specific extra work might use it.
  • The materials describe the original call for tenders and four bids, but do not compare the extension’s price with current alternatives.