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Council orders rebid for CDBG housing rehab after concerns over high bid for Home No. 5
Summary
Council directed staff to rebid a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) rehabilitation contract after members raised concerns that the lone bid was significantly higher than previous projects and other estimates; staff said the project involves major structural repairs beyond minor accessibility work.
The City Council voted unanimously May 21 to rebid an ITB for work on a CDBG‑funded housing rehabilitation (House No. 5) after members questioned why the only responsive bid was roughly three times a previous accessibility‑focused job and substantially higher than the program’s estimated construction costs.
Blanche Sherman, finance director, said staff had compared past projects and the CDBG housing assistance plan: the current property at 470 East Eighth Street requires structural repairs — framing, sheathing, original plumbing and electrical, roof replacement and interior gutting — that differ from an earlier $45,000 accessibility job. David Fox, the program contractor, said the home’s roof leaks and the interior must be brought to HUD Section 8 standards, which requires addressing all code and health and safety items.
Commissioner Anderson said the $160,000 bid looked “inflated” compared with other projects and recommended rebidding to seek more competition. Staff said the Florida Commerce estimate included a lower figure (about $60,000) and that different scopes and program requirements can account for wide variances; staff also noted the grant process includes environmental reviews and HUD compliance that affect schedule and costs.
Contractor Fox said he would hold the price for a time but that material and tariff increases could affect costs. Council directed staff to rebid the ITB to try to obtain additional bids and to continue environmental and permitting steps so the project timeline would not be further delayed unnecessarily.
The motion to rebid passed unanimously. Staff and the contractor said several other CDBG projects are in various stages of construction; for this property staff will return with results of the rebid and any recommended contract award and noted a budget amendment already included funds to cover the potential difference should a higher bid be necessary.
