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Council Awards $96,880 Engineering Contract for Faxon Creek Watershed Study
Summary
The Common Council approved awarding engineering services for the Faxon Creek Watershed Study to Donahue & Associates for $96,880 after an evaluation focused on qualifications and best value rather than lowest cost.
The Common Council approved awarding engineering services for a Faxon Creek Watershed Study to Donahue & Associates for $96,880. The study responds to flooding last June and will analyze the complete watershed to recommend measures to alleviate future flooding.
Public comment by councilors and staff explained the selection process: staff emphasized an evaluation approach that prioritized qualifications, team experience and best value rather than simply accepting the lowest bid. Steve Roberts, director at Environmental Services Division (ESD), said the process involved interviews of the three best‑fit firms and a unanimous consensus that Donahue & Associates offered the best value for the city.
Councilor Bender asked why the lowest bidder was not chosen; staff explained that the contract is a services contract (not a public works contract governed by chapter 62 of the statutes) and that applicable procurement rules allow evaluating qualifications when selecting professional services. Councilor Kinsey (referred to in the record as “Congressman Kinsey”) supported the approach and stressed the importance of selecting a qualified firm for a large watershed study.
The council approved the award by voice vote.
Why it matters: The watershed study is intended to guide flood mitigation and infrastructure planning after significant flooding; the procurement approach emphasizes technical qualifications for complex environmental analysis.
