City reports apparent low bid of about $3.56 million for Mesquite animal shelter addition

City staff told the Mesquite City Council on March 4 that five bids were received for an animal shelter addition and that the apparent low, responsive bid is approximately $3.56 million — below the project estimate of $3.7 million.

Travis, a city project representative, said staff opened five bids and were verifying numbers. He said the apparent low bid was $3,568,000 and later referenced $3,560,000 as the apparent low price from the low, responsible, responsive bidder (named in the transcript as SHF International/SFF). Staff told council the estimate used in loan documents was $3.7 million and that the city would present a notice of award for council action at the next regular meeting if the procurement review confirms the low bidder is responsive and responsible.

Council members asked whether the apparent low bidder had prior work with the city and how the procurement evaluated contractor qualifications. Staff explained that Nevada contracting statutes and the contractors board process govern bidder responsibility and that the sealed bid process evaluates bonding capacity and responsiveness rather than referrals; one bidder had worked previously on the justice facility, and most bidders were from Nevada with one from Utah.

No contract award occurred at the March 4 technical review meeting; staff said they would return with a notice of award and contract documents for council consideration at the regular Tuesday meeting next week.

Details: Staff reported five bids, the apparent low responsive bid near $3.56 million, and that the project estimate in the loan documents was $3.7 million. Staff will verify responsiveness and bonding before issuing a notice of award.