Biosphère contract for Poptopia exhibition

Summary#

Montréal city council unanimously adopted a position supporting a contract for Rümker (9276-2723 Québec inc.) to design and deliver the “Poptopia” exhibition at the Biosphère. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting. City staff say the planned exhibition aims to explore ecological ideas in popular culture and is expected to open in December 2027.

  • The proposed contract is for a maximum of $980,046.90, taxes included, for design, plans, installation, and technical assistance.
  • The proposed contingency budget is $98,005, taxes included, bringing the total to $1,078,051.90.
  • The public call for tenders received five bids. Rümker had the highest final score among the compliant bids; it was not the lowest-priced compliant bidder.
  • The resolution also calls for an evaluation of Rümker’s performance.

What it means for you#

  • Visitors: If the contract proceeds, the Biosphère plans an exhibition that the public can visit independently, with related activities. City staff plan for it to open in December 2027 and remain for at least two years.
  • General public: This decision does not directly change anyone’s rights, taxes, or services. The expense is to be paid entirely by the agglomeration.
  • Biosphère: The proposed contract covers work from strategy and exhibition design through installation and technical assistance, scheduled through December 2028.

Money#

The proposed total is $1,078,051.90, taxes included; the agglomeration would pay the expense.

  • The contract itself is $980,046.90, taxes included. City staff say the Biosphère’s 100% tax rebate makes its net contract cost $852,400.
  • The $98,005 contingency is for possible extra costs, such as outside consultants, higher copyright or distribution fees, or design changes for accessibility. The materials do not give its net cost after tax rebates.
  • City staff say the contract is in the Espace pour la vie budget and that the Biosphère has funding agreements with the Québec government and Environment and Climate Change Canada. The materials do not give the amounts from those agreements or how they relate to this contract.

What is unclear#

  • The materials do not say how much, if any, of the contingency will be used.
  • They do not give a breakdown of the funding agreements or say whether they cover this specific contract.
  • The exhibition is described as a working title and concept; the final content is not set out in the decision.

Case for#

  • Rümker received the highest final score under the tender’s pre-set criteria.
  • Its bid was $83,471.85, or 7.85%, below the city’s estimate.
  • The contract covers design through installation, which could give the Biosphère one firm responsible for the main stages of the exhibition.

Case against#

  • Studio RPP’s compliant bid was $2,759.40 lower than Rümker’s. The city’s evaluation favored Rümker overall, but the decision does not explain the scoring in detail.
  • The contingency adds up to $98,005, and the materials do not say how it will be approved or reported if used.
  • A previous contract for this exhibition was ended after creative differences and significant delays, according to city staff. That history raises a delivery risk, though it does not show that the new contract will face the same problem.