Without drum or trumpet, a consortium led by the Pomerleau firm won all the major excavation contracts for the extension of the blue line, reveals a review of The press. A situation that raises challenges of competition, according to a specialist.
Horizon blue mobility (MBH) has accumulated almost 300 million in mandates after winning the tunnel digis (1.1 billion) metro mega a year ago. In addition to Pomerleau, MBH includes the Quebec EBC firm and the French firm Spies Batignolles, an expert in tunnels.
Over the months, the Montreal Transport Company (STM) has entrusted the Consortium with the excavation of the future Anjou station (105 million), the future Langelier station (58 million), the future Anjou garage (80 million) and an auxiliary structure (35 million). In the last two cases, MBH had deposited the only compliant submission.
“We already knew that, in the first wave of work – excavation work – the Quebec market was still limited”, in particular due to the employment of a tunnel boring the main contract, explained Maha Clour, who heads the Blue Line Project Office. “We already anticipated a more limited pool of entrepreneurs. »»
As the project is advancing, other construction contracts are granted and should attract more companies, she added.
MBH did not want to comment on this situation.
“A very big advantage”
Gabriel Jobidon is a professor at the School of Higher Technology (ETS) and specialist in public contracts. In a telephone interview, he indicated that a group which wins a first major contract for a project is logically in better posture to obtain other mandates – sometimes even to the point of discouraging other potential competitors. However, he did not want to comment on the particular case of the blue line.
The group which already has a foot on the site has a “very big advantage” due to “the presence of equipment [sur le chantier]of the mobilization of staff, the knowledge of the project, the customer and its commercial terms, ”analyzed Mr. Jobidon. “But it is not an advantage which is induced within the meaning of the law. It is not illegal. »»
However, this situation can discourage other entrepreneurs from trying their luck. “There is still a cost to develop a submission,” said the specialist.
The presence of a single compliant tenderer can affect prices. Digging the future Anjou garage, for example, will cost 16 % more than expected, reveals a Document de la STM.
“As the price submitted by MBH accuses a significant gap with that provided for in the estimate,” negotiations were undertaken with this sole compliant tenderer. “Following two discussion meetings with MBH, the latter remained firm in their prices,” said the same document.
Horizon blue mobility was the only group to submit a submission to dig the tunnel.
“Everything follows planning”
In addition, the extension of the blue line “advancely advances” since the opening of the excavation site, almost a year ago, assured Maha Clour.
“Everything follows planning,” she rejoiced in an interview. We are being excavated by the five future stations. The site is advancing as planned, and we are still within key parameters in respect of the budget and the schedule. »»
The relationships between STM and Horizon blue mobility are fine, she added. “Relationships are good. The teams work hand in hand to manage to deliver the project in the agreed parameters, ”she said.
Mobility Bleu Horizon recruited the manager of the work of the Metropolitan Express network (REM) under Mont Royal, the Spanish Agustin Rey, to direct the consortium.
Photo taken from Linkedin
Agustin Rey, former boss of the REM tunnel under Mount Royal, who has become the boss of the tunnel of the extension of the blue line
“He has an important roadmap in terms of tunnel project management and underground works, having notably worked on the REM project,” Camille Pellerin, communications advisor at MBH, by email.
In addition to excavation contracts, the STM is starting to launch tenders for other elements of the project.
The Consortium Mobilité Bleu Horizon has been erased for a first major call for tenders, that for the expansion of the Saint-Michel metro station. Pomerleau and EBC, however, bid independently. The best price (50 million) was deposited by Pomerleau.
“Since it is a building construction project, we have chosen to bid alone, just like EBC,” said Pomerleau in an email. Our two organizations have the internal expertise and resources necessary to respond individually to this mandate. »»
“EBC bids alone when the project corresponds to its fundamental skills and its ability to manage it independently,” said EBC.
The STM also granted two mandates of a maximum of $ 500,000 each for the services of an arbitrator who will try to settle the disputes that can emerge within the framework of the two largest contracts in the project.
