Awarding of contracts

Each year, Montréal awards several hundred contracts for goods, general and professional services, or for the execution of work.

Awarding methods

There are several methods of awarding contracts, depending on the type of contract.

Lowest compliant bidder

• The bids received are analyzed to confirm that they comply with the administrative and technical requirements.
• Among the bids that are compliant, the contract is awarded to the bidder with the lowest bid.

One-envelope weighting and evaluation system

• The bids received are analyzed to confirm that they comply with the administrative and technical requirements
• Compliant bids are then evaluated using a weighting and evaluation grid including price, and a final score is assigned.
• Among the bids that are compliant, the contract is awarded to the bidder with the highest score.

Two-envelope weighting and evaluation system

• The bids received are analyzed to confirm that they comply with the administrative and technical requirements.
• Compliant bids are evaluated based on qualitative criteria using a weighting and evaluation grid, and an interim score is assigned.
• The second envelope containing the price is opened only for bids with an interim score of 70 per cent or higher. A final score is assigned through a formula that takes into account the bid price.
• Among the bids that are compliant, the contract is awarded to the bidder with the highest final score.

By-law on contract management

This by-law provides for measures that apply to all municipal contracts.

It aims to prevent any situation that could:

• Interfere with the impartiality and objectivity of the bidding process and the resulting contracting
• Harm the efficiency or integrity of the procurement and contracting process, such as influence peddling, intimidation, corruption, collusion or conflict of interest.

It reinforces the principles of fair competition, efficiency, ethics, transparency and equity in the city’s relationship with its suppliers.