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Committee awards fertilizer bid to United Prairie after single bid received
Summary
The Management Services Committee opened a single bid from United Prairie for county fertilizer quantities and approved the award after discussion about low bidder turnout and timing to rebid.
At the Sept. 3 Management Services Committee meeting, staff opened one bid for the county’s fertilizer supply and the committee voted to accept United Prairie’s proposal for the specified quantities.
The bid packet read at the meeting recommended 28,800 pounds of phosphate and 55,000 pounds of potassium. Staff reported the submitted price as "$28.05" (as reported on the bid sheet). Committee members discussed the low number of bidders, with staff saying the bid solicitation had been sent to approximately 15 past suppliers and that some previously partial bidders did not submit formal bids.
Committee members debated whether to rebid to encourage competition. One committee member noted the public opening means other suppliers will now know the bid details and said that may discourage new offers. Another member pointed out there was no immediate planting need and that staff could rebid, but several members favored accepting the single bid so work could proceed.
A motion to accept the United Prairie bid was made and seconded; the committee then approved the award by roll call vote with the following recorded as voting yes: Bakken, Crow, Saar, Watts, Grant and Herkinson. There was no recorded opposition. Staff said they would proceed with the award and that fertilization timing meant there was no immediate rush to apply product before next month.
Committee members asked staff to continue outreach to potential bidders in future solicitations to increase competition; no change to the approved award was made during the meeting.
