Summary#
Montréal city council approved a contract with Englobe Corp. to inspect and measure sidewalks on the City’s administrative arterial road network in 2026. City staff say the goal is to update sidewalk condition data to help plan future maintenance; the inspection itself does not require repairs.
- Englobe will survey about 2,400 kilometres of sidewalks across the City’s 19 boroughs. The work includes recording images and sidewalk damage, measuring cross-slopes, and locating the records geographically.
- The contract was awarded through public call for tenders 25-21216. Two firms bid; Englobe received the highest final score under the evaluation system.
- The contract amount is $607,503.18, taxes included, plus $60,750.32, taxes included, for contingencies.
- The contract runs until the final deliverables are accepted or 18 months have passed. The City may extend it by 12 months only if the authorized budget is not used up at the end of 18 months.
What it means for you#
- Residents and sidewalk users: The decision pays for information about sidewalk condition, not sidewalk repairs. City staff say the information is intended to help plan future work.
- The City: Englobe will collect data, including images every five metres, records of surface damage, cross-slope measurements every five metres, and geographic locations. The City must also evaluate Englobe’s performance.
- People and businesses: The decision does not impose a new fee or require residents or businesses to do anything.
Money#
The City authorized a total of $668,253.50, taxes included.
- Englobe’s bid is $607,503.18, taxes included; the remaining $60,750.32 is authorized for contingencies.
- The winning bid was $137,427.89, or 29.24%, above the City’s control estimate of $470,075.29.
- The contract allows penalties for delays, omissions, and technical failures, but the materials do not give their amounts.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not specify which sidewalk sections will be surveyed first or give a schedule by borough.
- They do not explain when or how the contingency budget may be used.
- The amount and terms of any 12-month extension are not stated in the resolution.
Case for#
- City staff say the City lacks the specialized equipment and expertise for this work, and that existing professional-services contracts do not cover it.
- Updated measurements could give the City information to help plan sidewalk maintenance and choose where and when to intervene.
- Englobe had the highest final score in the tender evaluation, and its bid was $300,792.88 below the other bid.
Case against#
- Englobe’s bid was 29.24% above the City’s estimate, so the City is paying more than its expected price.
- Only two firms bid, out of nine that obtained the tender documents. The materials do not show whether more competition could have lowered the price.
- The decision funds inspection and data collection, but does not commit the City to repair sidewalks based on the findings.