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Commissioners approve ranked list to negotiate construction‑management contract for Fire Station 1
Summary
The board authorized the county manager to negotiate with top‑ranked Ajax Building Company for construction management at‑risk services for Hardee County Fire Station 1, with fallback negotiation authority if talks fail; the resolution passed unanimously.
The Hardee County Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 16 approved Resolution 2025‑85, authorizing county staff to negotiate with the top‑ranked firm from a request for qualifications for construction management at‑risk (CMAR) services for Fire Station 1.
Assistant County Manager Christopher Simpron summarized the RFQ process (RFQ No. 25‑007), saying 10 responsive proposals were received and oral presentations were conducted. The top three ranked firms were Ajax Building Company (ranked first), Biltmore Construction Company (second) and Magnum Builders of Sarasota (third). Simpron reported the technical review committee (TRC) included Public Safety Director Casey Dasher, Building Official Tom Fisher and city manager Jack Eason as members and recommended authorization to negotiate with the highest‑ranked firm.
Simpron said the CMAR approach allows a two‑phase procurement: a preconstruction/value‑engineering phase followed by a negotiated guaranteed maximum price (GMP) based on qualified subcontractors. The board’s approval authorizes the county manager to negotiate with Ajax and, if an agreement cannot be reached, to move to the next ranked firm until negotiations succeed. Simpron said the county will return to the board with the negotiated agreement for final approval.
Commissioners asked how CMAR differs from a low‑bid contract and whether local firms had fair opportunity; county staff explained Florida procurement law requires qualifications‑based selection for certain professional services under the Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act and that rate validation and negotiation occur after ranking. Commissioners requested copies of the evaluation criteria used by the TRC; staff agreed to provide those documents.
Commissioner Flores moved approval of Resolution 2025‑85; Commissioner Chancy seconded. The board voted unanimously to approve the ranking and negotiation authorization.
The vote authorizes the county manager to negotiate with Ajax Building Company and to move down the ranked list if negotiations are unsuccessful; any negotiated contract will be presented to the board for approval.
