Commissioners award Bushpit gravel crushing contract to sole bidder after negotiation

Flathead County commissioners on March 4 approved an award for the Bushpit gravel crushing project to LHC after county staff negotiated a revised specification to meet the budget.

Dave Prunty, Road Department, told the board the county received a single bid at $18.95 per ton for 1-inch-minus crushed gravel with bentonite — a price driven up by sharp increases in bentonite costs. Prunty said he negotiated with the bidder to reduce the bentonite additive in stages (50 percent, 75 percent, and none) to find a workable price. At a 75 percent reduction the bidder’s price dropped to $13.67 per ton, which Prunty said better aligned with the county’s budget.

"My recommendation, commissioners, we award to LHC," Prunty said. He told the board that at $13.67 per ton plus a mobilization charge the county would procure about 32,200 tons of 1-inch-minus crushed gravel with approximately 1% bentonite by total weight, and that the mobilization fee of $59,950 brings the contract close to the county’s $500,000 budget. Prunty noted the contractor is not available to start until Aug. 15.

Commissioners asked about the risks of reduced bentonite content and whether the material would still perform with the county’s mag-chloride dust control. Prunty responded that natural fines in the pit and the mag-chloride program should allow the product to perform but called it "a test" and said the department will evaluate how the material reacts in place.

The board voted to award the contract as negotiated and directed staff to proceed with the unit-price contract; Prunty said an amendment could increase quantities later if budget adjustments permit.

Ending: The contract was approved by voice vote. Road Department staff will monitor performance of the reduced-bentonite material and adjust future specifications if needed.