City board approves contract negotiations for Project Warpath with NBCO Engineering

The City of Santa Fe's Economic Development Corporation (EDC) workshop on January 10, 2025, focused on the urgent need to secure engineering services for Project Warpath. NBCO Engineering has been identified as the top firm for the project, pending the submission of a cost proposal that must align with a preapproved budget of $150,000.

During the meeting, officials emphasized the tight timeline for Project Warpath, which has faced delays. They requested board approval to allow Director Zepeda to finalize the contract with NBCO if their proposal meets the budget constraints. If negotiations with NBCO do not yield a satisfactory agreement, the city will proceed to the next firm on their list, SPI, and continue down the rankings until a suitable option is found.

The discussion highlighted the importance of adhering to state law, which mandates that firms be ranked based on qualifications before entering financial negotiations. While some board members questioned the necessity of EDC approval for a budget not directly funded by them, the urgency of the project and the need for swift action were clear. The board's approval is seen as a crucial step to ensure that work on Project Warpath can commence without further delays, aiming for completion by the end of the school year.