Council discusses $1.9 million milling and resurfacing bid; two-contractor approach adopted

Public Works reported July 21 on the results of the town’s repaving bid and recommended awarding the milling and resurfacing work to a primary contractor with a secondary contractor as backup.

Staff said Wiregrass Construction was the lowest responsive bidder at $1,895,250 and Vulcan Materials was the next lowest at $1,957,500. The town is proposing a primary/secondary contractor arrangement so that Wiregrass would be awarded 100% of the work; if Wiregrass cannot perform a portion or all of the work, the second-lowest bidder (Vulcan) would pick up that work under the contract’s substitution clause.

Contract structure and scope: staff said the contract is for one year with two optional one-year extensions (total possible three years). The bid was quantity-based (tonnage) rather than listing a specific roadway list, although the town provided a list of target roadways to councilmembers for planning and noted that the project will install permissive-left arrow signal backplates and signal-related improvements at about 10–13 intersections.

Why it matters: the contract covers major resurfacing across the town and includes multiple road and signal upgrades. The multi-year option and the backup bidder approach are intended to stabilize pricing and ensure performance if the primary contractor cannot complete all work.

Discussion and clarifications: - Bidding approach: council asked whether the bids were based on roadway lists or quantities; staff confirmed this bid was quantity-based (tonnage). Councilmembers noted the provided roadway list and asked clarifying questions about intersections that will receive permissive-left arrows and reflective signal backplates. - Timeline and contract terms: staff reiterated the one-year base contract with two optional one-year extensions; the substitution to the second bidder follows Section 3(a) of the bid documents.

Decision and next steps: staff said the item will be placed on the consent agenda for the council meeting. The workshop transcript records presentation and Q&A but does not show a formal award vote.

Clarifying details: Wiregrass was the lowest responsive bidder at $1,895,250; Vulcan was second at $1,957,500. Staff said the bid emphasized tonnage (quantity) and that about 10 intersections will receive permissive-left arrow work and about 13 intersections will receive signal backplates.