City signs IT training framework with sole bidder

Summary#

Montréal city council unanimously adopted a position in favour of an agreement with AFI par Edgenda inc. for business-analysis training services for the City’s Information Technology Service. The resolution sets the City’s position; the agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting. City staff say the training is intended to build employees’ skills.

  • The proposed framework agreement is for 24 months, with services provided when the City requests them.
  • The maximum amount for that term is $127,737.23, taxes included.
  • The agreement includes an option to extend for 24 months; the staff summary lists a possible amount of $127,737.23, adjusted for inflation.
  • AFI par Edgenda inc. was the only bidder for this training lot and met the required passing score.

What it means for you#

  • City IT employees: The agreement would let the City order training in business analysis and functional analysis. It does not guarantee that every employee will receive training.
  • Residents: The decision does not directly change public services, taxes, or residents’ rights. City staff say the training aims to improve the IT Service’s work.
  • Taxpayers: The agreement’s spending would come from existing City budgets as needs arise, rather than being spent all at once.

Money#

The 24-month agreement has a maximum value of $127,737.23, taxes included.

  • The City would authorize spending through purchase orders as needs arise; the resolution does not commit it to spending the full maximum.
  • The optional extension is listed at $127,737.23, taxes included, with the amount adjusted according to the consumer price index.
  • After negotiations, the price was 10.55% above the City’s latest estimate. The original bid was reduced from $136,705.28 to $127,737.23.

What is unclear#

  • The materials do not say when the agreement would start, how many courses or training places it would cover, or which employees would be selected.
  • They do not explain how the City would decide whether to use the extension.
  • The resolution sets out the City’s position on the agreement; it does not itself confirm that the agreement was finally approved.

Case for#

  • City staff say the training is intended to strengthen IT employees’ business-analysis skills and help them understand needs and define solutions.
  • The sole bidder met the pre-set selection criteria, and negotiations lowered its price by $8,968.05.

Case against#

  • Only one firm bid, so the City had no competing compliant bid to compare with the negotiated price.
  • The negotiated price remained 10.55% above the City’s latest estimate.
  • The extension could add up to another 24 months of services, but the materials do not specify the final amount after the inflation adjustment.