Montreal approves crowd-control barrier contract

Summary#

Montréal city council adopted a decision awarding a contract to Les produits Fraco ltée to make and deliver custom crowd-control barriers for the Quartier des spectacles. City staff say the purchase is intended to complete the site’s equipment inventory and replace defective barriers.

  • The contract is for one pre-production sample, 150 custom barriers and 450 assembled feet.
  • The council awarded it to the lowest compliant bidder for $185,904.23, taxes included.
  • The contract is scheduled to start September 1, 2026, with final delivery expected in December 2026.

What it means for you#

  • City residents and event visitors: The decision buys equipment for events in the Quartier des spectacles. It does not directly change residents’ rights, fees or access rules.
  • The city: The city-centre budget must cover the full contract cost.

Money#

The contract costs $185,904.23, taxes included; the city-centre pays 100%.

  • A maximum of $169,755.34, net of tax rebates, is charged to the Quartier des spectacles asset-maintenance program, funded through local borrowing bylaw 17-029.
  • The materials do not state how the remaining amount is accounted for.

What is unclear#

  • The decision does not state the contract’s full term, renewal options, warranty or consequences if delivery is late.
  • No publicly available information on the specifications for the barriers beyond the listed quantities, or on how they will be inspected after delivery.

Case for#

  • City staff say the barriers are needed for events, to complete the existing inventory and replace defective equipment. They say this custom model cannot be rented.
  • Fraco’s compliant bid was 31.69% below the city’s estimate, and the council selected the lowest compliant bid.

Case against#

  • The two compliant prices listed differ sharply: Fraco bid $185,904.23, while Infravert bid $463,611.39. The winning bid was also well below the city’s estimate of $272,145.83.
  • City staff say differences in production capacity and use of subcontractors explain the gap. The materials do not provide further detail about how the city will ensure the delivered custom equipment meets its needs.