County approves change order and vendor contract to build airport fuel farm

Chaffee County commissioners approved two motions to advance a long‑planned fuel‑farm replacement at the Salida airport: a $605,009.33 change order to Pyramid Construction for civil site work and a contract with American Environmental Aviation to supply and install fueling system components.

Zach, an airport staff member, told the board that initial bids in February came back much higher than the county’s estimate. Staff negotiated a change order with Pyramid Construction — the contractor on a related taxiway project — to add civil work for the aircraft parking/fueling apron and to keep work coordinated with the taxiway project. The Pyramid change order amount presented to the board was $605,009.33.

For the fueling system itself, staff said multiple vendors recommended American Environmental Aviation; the company submitted a design proposal at $2,185,000, which staff said aligned acceptably with the original project estimate of about $2.8 million. Staff characterized the procurement of American Environmental Aviation as a sole‑source award after taking the required steps to seek other bidders.

Commissioners asked environmental and safety questions. Staff said the plan calls for new double‑wall above‑ground tanks with interstitial leak detection and containment basins for delivery and truck loading. Existing tanks would be emptied and later removed at a future time if mitigation is required; records indicate no known leaks.

A motion to approve the Pyramid change order passed by voice vote. A second motion to award the contract to American Environmental Aviation also passed by voice vote. Staff noted the project will require state permitting and that the contractor will handle permit applications.