Crook County commissioners voted Oct. 15 to deem Tri County Paving’s alternate proposal bond form a minor informality and to award the Puckett Road overlay contract to Tri County Paving, identified as the low bidder at $473,625.

Road Department Superintendent Brad Haynes presented the bid results and said four bids were opened publicly on Sept. 25. County legal staff reviewed the documents and advised the alternate bid bond submitted by Tri County was, while not using the county's exact form, functionally equivalent. Legal advised the difference could be treated as a minor informality rather than as rendering the bid nonresponsive.

County counsel recommended two motions: first, that the board find Tri County’s different bid bond form to be a minor informality; second, to award the Puckett Road overlay contract to Tri County Paving and authorize the county to sign the contract outside of a public meeting. Staff noted the other bidders would receive a notice of intent to award and could file a bid protest if they determined the alternate bond form gave Tri County an unfair advantage.

Commissioners made and seconded both motions and approved them by voice vote. Staff said the contract paperwork will be processed and the notice of intent to award will be sent to all bidders.