Report and recommendations concerning call for tender 13-13242 (Sainte-Catherine interaction project), filed on October 27, 2014

The call for tenders was not conducive to a competitive market. Several restrictive criteria gave it the appearance of favouring the firm Acertys, which had been given a contract by mutual agreement for the preliminary study. Furthermore, the composition of the selection committee did not comply with the applicable frameworks, due to the participation of a division head who was effectively acting as the project manager. This person also contacted Acertys during the publication of the call for tenders. A number of recommendations were made: re-evaluate the rules governing the participation in a call for tenders of a firm that conducted a preliminary study, ensure through market research that many suppliers are able to respond to the call for tenders, make officials aware of the importance of providing a minimum level of documentary support when awarding contracts by mutual agreement, and restrict the publication of calls for tender during the holiday season.