Baker County staff recommend intent to award $2.3M contract for Emergency Operations Center

The Baker County Board of Commissioners accepted staff’s recommendation on Aug. 6 to issue an intent to award solicitation 2025‑03 — construction of an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) attached to the sheriff’s justice center at 3410 K Street — to Kirby Nagelhaw Construction of Bend for the apparent low bid of $2,300,000. Facilities staff and county project managers described the two‑year procurement process: Cole Architecture prepared bid documents after an earlier RFP selected the firm as architect; the county received four responsive bids and staff evaluated contractor responsibility and fitness before recommending the apparent low bidder. Commissioners were told the project timeline has been extended previously and that OEM grant reimbursement rules require a contractor name to secure an extension; county staff said they will seek final contract signatures within weeks after additional due diligence with the architect and contractor. Staff told commissioners that the funding structure includes an OEM grant and county matching funds. A county official said previously approved match payment of $666,667 was committed in 2023; OEM requires reimbursements and extensions for the project, and staff expect final reimbursement obligations to follow state procedures. Commissioners voted to approve the intent to award; staff said they will finalize contract details, including contingency allowances and a schedule for substantial completion no later than June 2026. No final county contract signature was taken at the meeting; the board will receive the final contract for approval or signature when the documentation is complete. Ending: Staff will issue an intent to award notice to the apparent low bidder, complete required due diligence with the architect, and return to commissioners with a final contract for signature.