Item - 2026.GG28.11

The General Government Committee recommends that:

1. City Council grant authority to the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management to enter into a non-competitive agreement with Motorola Solutions Canada Inc., for the design and installation of enhanced Toronto Radio Infrastructure Program equipment at the St. Lawrence Market North building, in the amount of $887,354 net of all applicable taxes and charges ($902,971 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries), on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

The purpose of this report is to request City Council authority to enter into a Non-Competitive Procurement contract with Motorola Solutions Canada Inc., (Motorola), to deliver the technical design and installation of additional radio communication equipment to extend the existing Bi-Directional Amplifier system from the Toronto Radio Infrastructure Program within the St. Lawrence Market North building at 92 Front Street East.

Toronto Radio Infrastructure Program provides voice radio communications for the City's first responders and is a critical system used by Toronto Police Services, Toronto Fire and Toronto Paramedic Services to ensure public safety through coordinated emergency response. The program began implementation in 2012 and has been operational since 2015 providing reliable voice radio communications to the City's emergency services. 

The St. Lawrence Market North building reached substantial completion in November 2024. During the construction of the St. Lawrence Market North building, Motorola provided partial radio communication coverage connected to Toronto Radio Infrastructure Program. This was implemented and funded by the Toronto Police Services to cover specific building areas for their operational requirements. Following occupancy, Corporate Real Estate Management building staff, who utilize point-to-point radio communications and are not current Toronto Radio Infrastructure Program users at St. Lawrence Market North, identified areas requiring improved radio communication. These issues were not evident during construction.

Following a review and assessment of potential solutions, it was determined that the most reliable and cost-effective solution was to extend the Bi-Directional Amplifier system from specific areas in the building to all areas of the St. Lawrence Market North building. This solution ensures continuity of services, and maintains required technical and operational standards. As Motorola provided and installed the existing Bi-Directional Amplifier equipment connected to Toronto Radio Infrastructure Program and previously completed design work within the St. Lawrence Market North building, Motorola has a significant understanding of the building and the City’s equipment requirements for Toronto Radio Infrastructure Program compatibility.

The Purchasing and Materials Management Division has advised that an Non-Competitive Procurement is the appropriate procurement method as the original Blanket Contract 47016848 with Motorola did not allow for a piggyback purchase order amendment as per the Co-operative Purchasing Procedure. In addition, a piggyback purchase order amendment would not be permitted due to the scope of work not directly overlapping. Approval of this Non-Competitive Procurement will allow installation to begin in second quarter of 2026 with expected completion in the fourth quarter of 2026. Once complete, the St. Lawrence Market North building will have additional radio coverage to improve responsiveness and effectiveness of Corporate Real Estate Management's building staff during emergency situations and daily operations.

Non-competitive procurements may be undertaken where both the proposed procurement and supplier can be justified in good faith based on an exception set out in Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 195, Procurement. This procurement will be proceeding under the exception code related to “Compatibility” where both Motorola and the City have determined in good faith that both the proposed procurement and the selected supplier, along with the terms and conditions of the contract are beneficial to the City (Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 195, Procurement, Section 7.1.E.)

City Council approval is required in accordance with Municipal Code Chapter 195, Procurement, where the current request exceeds the Chief Procurement Officer’s authority of the cumulative five-year commitment limit  under Article 7, Section 195-7.3(D) of the Procurement 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 71-11(A).