Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted a position asking the agglomeration council to approve an agreement with Systematix Technologies de l'Information inc. The proposed framework agreement would provide Oracle Application Express (APEX) services for 36 months, with two optional 12-month extensions. City staff say the goal is to support the City’s digital projects and services.
- Systematix would provide development, integration, updates and operational support for City applications, when requested.
- The maximum amount for the first 36 months is $1,310,505.75, taxes included.
- Each 12-month extension would cost $436,834.12, taxes included, with prices adjusted using the consumer price index.
- The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
What it means for you#
- Residents and municipal staff: City staff say the services would support applications used for infrastructure and financial projects. The agreement does not guarantee particular improvements to public services.
- City departments: They could request services as needed. Each assignment would need spending authorization and would be paid from budgets already assigned to the relevant projects or departments.
Money#
The agreement sets a maximum amount, but actual spending would depend on requested work and later authorizations.
- Three firms submitted bids; all three were administratively compliant. Systematix was chosen for the highest final score, not the lowest price.
- Systematix’s bid was $1,310,505.75, taxes included—24.18% below the City’s estimate of $1,728,488.16.
- The two extensions are optional, not automatic. Their stated amount is $436,834.12, taxes included, for each year, subject to price adjustment.
What is unclear#
- How much of the maximum amount the City will actually spend, and which assignments it will request.
- Whether either extension will be used.
- What results or service improvements the City will measure. The resolution requires an evaluation of Systematix’s performance but gives no further details.
Case for#
- The agreement would let City departments request APEX expertise for application development, updates and support as needs arise.
- City staff say it would complement internal expertise while helping maintain and modernize systems, including applications for road-infrastructure and financial projects.
- The selected bid was below the City’s estimate, and Systematix received the highest score under the pre-set selection criteria.
Case against#
- Only three of ten firms that obtained the tender documents submitted bids. The materials do not explain why most did not bid.
- CGI’s bid was $3,885.58 lower than Systematix’s. The selection favoured Systematix because it received the highest final score, but the materials do not give the scoring breakdown.
- The agreement allows extensions and sets a maximum, but the amount of work—and the total cost if extensions are used—depends on future requests and price adjustments.