Item - 2025.GG19.15

The General Government Committee recommends that:

1. City Council grant the authority to the Chief Technology Officer in accordance with Sections 195-6.6 and 195-8.5 of the Toronto Municipal Chapter 195 (Procurement) grant authority for the Chief Technology Officer to enter into, and execute agreements that are subject to terms and conditions acceptable to the Chief Technology Officer for the provision of Mobile Devices and Services with:

a. Rogers Communications Canada for the value of $57,484,224 net of all taxes and applicable charges, $64,957,173 inclusive of all applicable taxes and charges, and $58,495,946 net of Harmonized Sale Tax Recoveries, for an initial term of 5 years and 4 months from date of award to July 31, 2030 and two (2) additional 2-year terms to July 31, 2034. 

b. Bell Mobility Inc., for the value of $4,801,719 net of all taxes and applicable charges, $5,425,942 inclusive of all applicable taxes and charges, and $4,886,229 net of Harmonized Sale Tax Recoveries, for an initial term of 5 years and 4 months from date of award to July 31, 2030 and two (2) additional 2-year terms to July 31, 2034.

c. Baka Communications for the value of $1,800,361 net of all taxes and applicable charges $2,034,408 inclusive of all applicable taxes and charges, and  $1,832,048 net of Harmonized Sale Tax Recoveries, for an initial term of 5 years and 4 months from date of award to July 31, 2030 and two (2) additional 2-year terms to July 31, 2034.

d. Telus Communications Company for the value of $5,390,410 net of all taxes and applicable charges, $6,091,163 inclusive of all applicable taxes and charges, and $5,485,281 net of Harmonized Sale Tax Recoveries,  for an initial term of 5 years and 4 months from date of award to July 31, 2030 and two (2) additional 2-year terms to July 31, 2034 and;

2. City Council grant the authority to the Chief Technology Officer to negotiate and execute a non-competitive contract in accordance with Sections 195-7.3 (D) of the Toronto Municipal Chapter 195 (Procurement) with:

a. Paging Network of Canada Inc., for the value of $1,500,000 net of all taxes and applicable charges, $1,695,000 inclusive of all applicable taxes and charges, and $1,526,400 net of Harmonized Sale Tax Recoveries, for an initial term of 2 years from date of award to March 31, 2027.

The purpose of this report is to seek authority for the Chief Technology Office to utilize the Province of Ontario's Vendor of Record Arrangement Tender Number 18677 for Mobile Devices and Services (The Ontario Master Agreement). The total potential value of the Vendor of Record adoption is $69,476,714 net of all applicable taxes and charges ($70,669,504 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries) for a term up to nine years and three months.

The City of Toronto’s Technology Services Division supports mobile connectivity for over 22,600 City staff by providing wireless services (including cell phones, modems, pagers), and related accessories and services. Following advice from the Auditor General, the City has utilized the wireless Vendor of Record to save over $10 million from favorable rates and contract terms since 2020.

To ensure business continuity and prevent service disruptions during the expiration of the previous Vendor of Record and the establishment of the new agreement, City Council approved bridge contracts in May 2024. With the new Provincial Vendor of Record in place, the City is prepared to adopt the new agreement and expects an additional $16.5 million in direct savings and cost avoidance over the new contract period from 2025 - 2034.

This report is also requesting City Council Authority to enter into a Non-competitive Procurement with Paging Network of Canada Inc., for pagers and paging services due to the absence of competition. The total value for this contract award is $1,500,000 net of all taxes and applicable charges ($1,526,400 net of Harmonized Sale Tax Recoveries) for a two-year term.

To ensure uninterrupted service, and given that pagers and paging services are no longer included in the Provincial Vendor of Record, while Paging Network of Canada Inc., remains the sole licensed provider of paging services authorized by Industry Canada, it is necessary to procced with the Non-competitive exception code number 2; Exclusive Rights.

City Council approval is required in accordance with Municipal Code Chapter 195-Purchasing, where the current request exceeds the Chief Procurement Officer's authority of the cumulative five-year (5) commitment for each supplier, under Article 7, Section 195-7.3 (D) of the Purchasing By-Law or exceeds the threshold of $500,000 net of Harmonized Sales Tax allowed under staff authority as per the Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 71 Financial Control, Section 71-11A.