The Sandoval County Board of County Commissioners approved awarding agreements to seven firms to provide engineering services for county projects and authorized the county manager to negotiate and sign the contracts and any subsequent amendments.

David Martinez, the county’s public works assistant director, told commissioners the seven respondents had been reviewed by a procurement panel and were all judged capable of providing the services. “These are the companies that we would use to perform that work and they’ve already gone through the procurement process which is what you would be approving tonight,” Martinez said.

Commissioners asked why the county would include seven firms rather than a smaller roster. Martinez said having a wider pool avoids overloading a small number of firms and allows the county to select firms suited to specific project needs. Commissioner Joshua Jones asked whether the commission could receive a breakdown of each firm’s expertise; Martinez and procurement staff said that information is available through the county’s procurement records.

The motion to award the agreements passed by recorded vote. The commission did not link the roster to specific projects during the public meeting; staff said the contracts are intended to be used as projects arise and that firms are not tied to particular projects at contract signing.