Arlington rejects all bids for 180th/8th Street roundabout after protests

The Arlington City Council voted to reject all bids on the 180 Eighth Street roundabout project after competing bidders filed protests over elements of the lowest apparent bid. City staff told the council the protests centered on the disadvantaged business-enterprise (DBE) component and other bid irregularities.

Jim Kelly, city project manager, described a contested bidding process in which the apparent low bidder—s submission drew a formal protest and the bidder then contested that protest. "We received the bids. There was a protest because there were errors in the apparent low bidder," Kelly said. Kelly told council staff consulted Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for guidance; WSDOT responded that it would support whatever decision the city makes.

Given the legal risk, the potential cost of defending protests and the likelihood of further delays, staff recommended rejecting all bids and rebidding the project. Paul (staff) said rejecting and re-advertising will allow staff to re-evaluate and re-qualify bidders and "hopefully have a selected construction firm when you return from your break."

Council moved and approved a motion to reject all bids for the 180 Eighth Street roundabout project by voice vote; the council instructed staff to re-advertise the project.

Clarifying details discussed in the meeting: the bid protests were public record; WSDOT reviewed the matter and deferred to the city; the protests involved DBE form issues and the prompt timing of protests after bid opening. Staff said the city—s project manual and bid forms were complete and that the contested issues related to bidding competition rather than errors in the project documents.

Next steps: staff will reject all bids formally, resolve any pending protests in writing, re-advertise the project for a new bidding cycle, and aim to return to council with a qualified low bidder in the next meeting cycle.