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Board delays tee-hangar contract decision while approving FAA construction administration firm
Summary
Commissioners discussed a proposed tee-hangar contract with Olympic Builders that would be contingent on state and federal funding, asked staff to clarify cancellation and penalty terms, and approved Bolton and Mink for FAA-required construction administration services.
Houston County commissioners discussed the airport tee-hangar project April 14 and agreed to delay final contractor award while directing staff to obtain additional contract details and penalty terms. At the same meeting the board approved hiring Bolton and Mink for construction administration and FAA inspection services.
Airport staff said Olympic Builders submitted a favorable bid and that the project’s total cost is just under $1.7 million, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) typically paying 95% under entitlement funding and the state paying roughly 2.5%. Staff described recent correspondence from the FAA indicating Congress approved a continuing resolution that makes funds available, but that FAA grant offers had not yet been issued. "They do anticipate the grant offers being issued for Houston County for the project, but it just may take, you know, 3, 4 month timeline, for the County to receive them," an airport representative said.
Commissioners expressed concern about ordering materials before grant offers arrive, and asked staff to ask Olympic Builders whether the county could cancel or back out of material orders without significant penalty if grant funding did not arrive. The board directed staff to bring the construction contract back for approval at a future meeting after obtaining details about shop-drawing timelines, material lead times, and cancellation penalties.
Separately, the board voted to contract Bolton and Mink for construction administration and FAA-required inspection services. A commissioner moved to hire Bolton and Mink, a second was made, and the item passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: the tee-hangar project requires substantial federal entitlement funding; moving forward before grant offers are issued could expose the county to large costs if the grant does not finalize. County staff said entitlement funds are recurring local FAA airport apportionments the county receives annually and that FAA indicated in email correspondence they were preparing to "load the checkbooks" to issue grants.
Commissioners asked staff to return in two weeks with (1) whether Olympic or any contractor would accept a limited notice to proceed that allows shop drawings but delays material orders, (2) what penalties apply to canceling material orders, and (3) contract language options that limit county exposure.
