Summary#
Montréal city council approved two framework agreements to supply tools for collecting organic waste and household garbage. The City’s Environment Department will place orders as needed; the stated goal is to maintain supplies for residents in 19 boroughs.
- Orbis Canada ltée will supply brown 45–50 L rolling bins for organic waste for up to $1,229,533.12, taxes included. It was the lowest compliant bidder for this lot.
- USD Global inc. will supply specified brown and dark-grey rolling bins for up to $2,023,524.93, taxes included. It was the only bidder for this lot, and its bid was compliant.
- Both agreements run for 36 months and each has two 12-month extension options. The City also authorized $165,905.96 for contingencies and $65,061.16 for indexing.
- The City must assess both companies’ performance. The agreements require delivery within six weeks of an order and a minimum five-year equipment warranty.
What it means for you#
- Residents: The bins are intended for residents in the 19 boroughs that distribute them. The decision does not change collection rules or require residents to apply for a bin.
- Boroughs and City staff: The Environment Department will pay for orders from its budgets as needs arise. The boroughs’ needs and distribution practices may vary.
- Taxpayers: The decision authorizes spending up to the stated amounts; it does not require the City to order the full quantities or spend the full totals.
Money#
The approved agreements and related budgets total $3,484,025.17, taxes included.
- The contract amounts are capped at $1,229,533.12 for Orbis and $2,023,524.93 for USD Global.
- The separate contingency and indexing budgets are $165,905.96 and $65,061.16.
- The decision assigns the spending to Environment Department budgets, as orders are needed.
What is unclear#
- The decision does not state the quantities the City will actually order or how much it will spend.
- It does not say whether either extension option will be used.
- The supplied material gives no price comparison for lot 4. For lot 3, the lowest compliant bid was 3% above the City’s latest estimate.
Case for#
- The agreements could help maintain bin supplies as earlier agreements expire.
- The City can order bins as needed rather than committing to purchase the full contract amounts.
- For lot 3, the City selected the lowest compliant bid.
Case against#
- USD Global was the only bidder for lot 4, so the material provides no competing bid for that lot.
- The City authorized substantial spending, but the decision does not give expected order quantities or a final total cost.