Summary#
Montréal city council adopted a decision awarding Déneigement ProQuip inc. a snow-clearing contract for the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough. The decision is titled Accorder un contrat à Déneigement ProQuip inc. (Award a contract to Déneigement ProQuip inc.). City staff say the goal is to provide snow-clearing services where the city lacks its own equipment.
- The five-winter-season contract runs from the date it was awarded until April 15, 2031.
- The work includes clearing roads, sidewalks, some laneways and bike paths; spreading de-icers and abrasives on sidewalks; loading snow; and blowing snow to the roadside where needed.
- The council authorized a total maximum expense of $22,042,432.13, taxes included, and ordered an evaluation of the company’s performance.
What it means for you#
- Plateau-Mont-Royal residents: The contract covers the listed snow-clearing work in the borough. City staff say the city does not have the equipment needed to do this work in these areas.
- Taxpayers: The city-centre operating budget will pay the cost. The decision does not set a new resident fee.
Money#
The authorized maximum cost is $22,042,432.13, taxes included.
- This includes $18,368,693.44 for the contract, $918,434.67 for contingencies, and $2,755,304.02 for changes in quantities.
- The contract went to the lowest compliant bidder in a public call for tenders with five bids.
- City staff say extra funding could be needed in severe winters; if so, the city would need a later decision to use its snow reserve.
What is unclear#
- The decision materials do not give the contract’s detailed service standards or say how actual work will be measured.
- The amount, if any, that may later be needed from the snow reserve is unknown.
Case for#
- City staff say the city lacks the equipment to do this work in the area, making an outside contract necessary.
- Staff say awarding the contract before winter allows time to inspect the contractor’s machinery, train borough staff and plan operations.
- Five bids were received, and the selected company submitted the lowest compliant bid.
Case against#
- The contract’s base price is 13.53% above the city’s estimate. City staff point to higher labour, equipment and fuel costs, winter uncertainty, and the area’s operating constraints as possible reasons.
- The city’s climate test says the file harms the city’s carbon-neutrality goal or increases climate vulnerabilities.