Miami County awards design contracts for two bridge replacements

Miami County commissioners on Wednesday authorized survey, geotechnical and design agreements for two bridge-replacement projects, awarding both to Kaw Valley Engineering after a quality-based selection process.

The awards cover project 2,113 SB 688 — described by county staff as the replacement of Bridge 21 D1 east of Indianapolis Road — and project 25-02-SB704, the replacement of Bridge 9 G1 north of Osawatomie. Commissioners voted 4-0 to authorize the county chair to execute agreements with Kaw Valley Engineering for the two projects.

Project manager Matt Oler summarized the selection process for the commission. “The consultant selection utilized the county’s purchasing quality based selection policy,” Oler said, adding that the committee received proposals from Kaw Valley Engineering, BG Consultants, Pfefferkorn Engineering and Environmental, and Schwabeaton. He said the committee ranks firms primarily on approach and staff utilization, then adjusts rankings by price using a points formula that gives additional points for the lowest and second-lowest proposals.

Oler said Pfefferkorn Engineering and Environmental submitted the lowest price for the first project at $35,000; Kaw Valley’s proposal for that job was $41,442. For the second bridge, Kaw Valley’s price was $59,996 and BG Consultants was the low competitor at $58,500. Based on the county’s quality-based scoring and the price adjustments, the selection committee recommended Kaw Valley Engineering for both contracts.

Commissioner Tyler Vaughn moved to approve the agreement for the first bridge; Commissioner Vickery seconded. For the second bridge, Commissioner Vickery moved the award and Commissioner Pretz seconded. Both motions passed unanimously, 4-0.

County staff said the selection committee for the projects consisted of Commissioner Diediker (district commissioner for one project), Commissioner Sandberg and Matt Oler. Commissioners discussed the rationale for quality-based selection, with Oler explaining the committee’s focus on design approach, site concerns, traffic-control impacts and firm history before allowing price to differentiate closely ranked firms.

The agreements authorize Kaw Valley Engineering to perform survey, geotechnical and design services; staff did not present final contract language or an implementation schedule during the meeting. The commission’s action was limited to awarding and authorizing execution of the design agreements.

Commissioners had no further questions after the motions and approved both awards.