Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Procurement Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee debates removing bid bond requirement; vote stalled after quorum ruling
Summary
Committee members discussed a proposal to eliminate the bid bond requirement for timber bidders and to add a two-year prohibition for any successful bidder who refuses to sign a contract, but the committee could not vote because it did not have a quorum; the matter will return to a future meeting.
Committee members reviewed a proposal to eliminate the current bid bond requirement and to adopt a two-year prohibition on bidders who win but do not sign contracts.
A committee member summarized the problem: some regular bidders have corporate offices in other states and face delays obtaining bid bonds within the short advertising-to-opening timeframe. The member recommended ending the bid-bond requirement and imposing a two-year prohibition for any successful bidder who does not follow through. "Over of the bidders have asked that we do away with the bid bond, so that's my recommendation," the member said. Another committee member moved to "go ahead with the get rid of the bond and and adding the 2 year prohibition to it." The mover’s name was not specified in the transcript.
Committee discussion included practical concerns about out-of-state corporate processes for acquiring bid bonds, timing constraints when prospectuses are issued, and administrative costs for bidders who must cut checks and obtain bonds quickly.
The committee did not take a formal vote. Later in the meeting Heather (last name not given) and Dan clarified that the county board chair participates ex officio but does not count toward a quorum; after confirming there was not a quorum, staff said votes could not be held. Dan explained that an ex officio presence does not satisfy quorum requirements and that the committee therefore lacked the membership needed to adopt the proposed change.
Ending: The proposal to eliminate the bid bond and adopt a two-year prohibition will return to a future meeting for formal action once a quorum is present.
