Summary
The Office of Inspector General investigated three contractual processes in the Rivière-des-Prairies—Pointe aux Trembles Borough in connection with the upgrade of the Roussin community centre.
As a result, the Bureau analyzed the awarding of a professional services contract to Induktion and two construction calls for tenders prepared by that firm. The investigation revealed that the two construction calls for tenders were not compliant with Section 573.1.0.14 of the Cities and Towns Act. The technical specifications of several products were described in descriptive terms, using brands and models, rather than in terms of performance or functional requirements, as required by law. Moreover, these calls for tenders did not feature clauses allowing bidders to submit equivalent products.
The investigation revealed that the Rivière-des-Prairies—Pointe aux Trembles Borough project team contributed to the drafting of non-conforming specifications by providing instructions to Induktion based on an incorrect understanding and interpretation of Ville de Montréal’s obligations and administrative framework.
Based on the investigation’s findings, the Inspector General is recommending that the contract awarded to Induktion be rescinded, and that the process of drafting plans and specifications for the Roussin community centre’s rehabilitation continue in accordance with the legislation. She also recommends that the Ville de Montréal develop an incremental plan for revising and updating the standard specifications and mandate training on defining needs through performance criteria, provided by the Office of Inspector General and the Office of Comptroller General to all municipal staff involved in the design and preparation of tender documents and contract management.
In order to eliminate any lack of awareness among professional service firms mandated with drafting specifications for Ville de Montréal, the Inspector General is recommending that Ville de Montréal personnel be required to inform the firms’ representatives of the obligations set out in Section 573.1.0.14 of the Cities and Towns Act during the kickoff meetings.
As a result, the Bureau analyzed the awarding of a professional services contract to Induktion and two construction calls for tenders prepared by that firm. The investigation revealed that the two construction calls for tenders were not compliant with Section 573.1.0.14 of the Cities and Towns Act. The technical specifications of several products were described in descriptive terms, using brands and models, rather than in terms of performance or functional requirements, as required by law. Moreover, these calls for tenders did not feature clauses allowing bidders to submit equivalent products.
The investigation revealed that the Rivière-des-Prairies—Pointe aux Trembles Borough project team contributed to the drafting of non-conforming specifications by providing instructions to Induktion based on an incorrect understanding and interpretation of Ville de Montréal’s obligations and administrative framework.
Based on the investigation’s findings, the Inspector General is recommending that the contract awarded to Induktion be rescinded, and that the process of drafting plans and specifications for the Roussin community centre’s rehabilitation continue in accordance with the legislation. She also recommends that the Ville de Montréal develop an incremental plan for revising and updating the standard specifications and mandate training on defining needs through performance criteria, provided by the Office of Inspector General and the Office of Comptroller General to all municipal staff involved in the design and preparation of tender documents and contract management.
In order to eliminate any lack of awareness among professional service firms mandated with drafting specifications for Ville de Montréal, the Inspector General is recommending that Ville de Montréal personnel be required to inform the firms’ representatives of the obligations set out in Section 573.1.0.14 of the Cities and Towns Act during the kickoff meetings.
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Report on the Rehabilitation of the Roussin Centre