Riverton rejects two bids for airport self-serve fuel tank; staff to rework specs and rebid

City staff recommended rejecting two bids for a proposed self-serve aviation fuel tank at Riverton Regional Airport, and the council voted on Aug. 19 to do so. Staff said both bids exceeded the project estimate and one bidder placed an overly large mobilization line item contrary to the bid specifications. The airport consultant and staff said the project had a planning estimate of about $375,000, but two bids came back at $725,967 and $618,577. One bidder placed 45% of their total price under mobilization when the specifications limited mobilization to 10%, which staff treated as an irregularity. Council voted to reject the bids and directed staff and the airport consultant to re-pack the project, seek local and regional contractors and rebid in the spring when concrete and excavation pricing may be more competitive. Council and staff discussed funding constraints as well: airport projects that generate revenue cannot be funded with standard FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds; the airport's funding package currently relies on a combination of FAA discretionary and PFC funds or other sources. Staff said they will investigate funding and rebid timing before returning to council.