Council approves Jan. 27 Board of Bids and Contracts awards, stresses unit-price limits and vendor qualifications

The Wichita City Council approved the Board of Bids and Contracts report from Jan. 27, 2025, awarding multiple construction and purchasing contracts and rejecting certain airport HVAC bids. Council voted 7–0 to approve the board report.

Josh Lauber of the Finance Department presented the board report and listed awards and purchasing recommendations. Among the engineering awards announced was a McArthur Bridge expansion joint replacement for Barclay Construction LLC for $289,300 and the Rainbow Lake Street Improvements contract to Conspec Incorporated doing business as Kansas Paving for $840,001.80. Purchasing awards included estimated annual welding gases to Lampton Welding Supply Company Inc. (estimated annual usage $42,000), interior/exterior modifications at two single-family homes to Dutton Construction Services LLC for $139,000, and repair of a Caterpillar wheel loader to Foley Industries Inc. for $55,028.36. Lauber also reported staff rejected bids for HVAC work at multiple airport addresses.

Clarifications from Public Works staff Paul Gonesman of Public Works and Utilities explained why an award was listed at $289,300 when the low bid had been $261,083: the city was awarding a unit-price contract with a higher budgeted award value to allow for unknowns discovered during construction. "Barclays original bid was 261,083, which was the low bid. However, we are awarding it for $289,300 just in case we, once we get in to start construction, if we find anything unknown," Gonesman said. Staff and council observed that unit-price contracts pay measured quantities only and the contract amount cannot exceed the approved maximum without council approval.

Vendor responsiveness and licensing Lauber and staff described a second award to Rosson Construction LLC despite a lower competing bid: staff said Rosson was responsive and met specifications despite not yet holding a general contractor's license; the vendor was scheduled to test for the license in February and had enrolled in study courses. Separately, Thrasher Systems requested withdrawal after its supplier quotes rose above the submitted bid; staff said the supplier pricing was higher than the bidder’s submitted price and the company sought withdrawal.

Vote and next steps Councilmember Ballard moved approval; the motion passed by voice vote, 7–0. Staff recommended and council approved the board report so the listed contracts may proceed through the city's contracting process. Council and staff said they would answer any follow-up procurement questions outside the meeting.

Ending: The approvals permit staff to proceed with the recommended contracts and to continue outreach efforts to recruit and educate small and veteran-owned vendors about city contracting opportunities.