The city of Montreal will pay $7 million more for its water ozonation plant because a contractor forgot a form.
Despite offering the best price (57 million) to build the “metal structures” of the project, the EBC construction company saw its bid rejected because it forgot to attach proof of insurance. , required document.
Its closest rival, Chitcon, pocketed the contract awarded at the last meeting of the municipal council. Sitcon offered to do the work for 64 million or 7 million.
“It’s a significant amount, and we have the right to ask ourselves how much money the city is losing every year in a situation like this”, confirmed Dominic Perry to the municipal council. The elected official chairs the Commission to Review City Contracts.
He said the City had consulted with its lawyers to resolve the “impasse” but to no avail. Lack of proof of insurance is considered “a major malpractice” that can’t be fixed on a backlog, the city assessed in a document given to elected officials.
EBC did not want to respond to the situation. “We will not be commenting,” said spokesman Johan Laurin.
“The rules governing the awarding of municipal contracts subject to the City of Montreal are strict and subject to public order, and the City cannot flout them. This case is no exception,” responded Gonzalo Nunez, communications officer for the City of Montreal.
The ozonation plant project has already incurred significant cost overruns: the project initially cost 210 million, but is now estimated at 717 million.
Its delivery date also keeps getting postponed. The city now plans to open in 2025.
An ambitious project
“In reality, it’s really become a bottomless pit for taxpayers’ money,” said opposition spokesman Alan D’Souza, still in the city council.
“It’s an ambitious project because it’s better. It doesn’t disturb the fauna and flora,” replied Maja Vodanovic, responsible for the water file in Valery Plante’s group. The initial estimate of 200 million was very preliminary and, in addition to facing unforeseen problems, the project “improved” over the years and ” Restructured,” he pointed out.
Ultimately, the facility should allow for more advanced treatment of Montrealers’ wastewater through ozone injection to remove microbes and viruses. These waters end their course in the St. Lawrence River.
It will be the largest factory on the planet.
Mr. Perry confirmed.
He said that a solution should be found soon so that this situation does not happen again. Immediately after opening the tender envelopes, the municipality can “request missing documents without rejecting the tender”.
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