West Bend rejects low bidder on sidewalk repairs, awards contract to experienced contractor

The West Bend Board of Public Works voted to recommend awarding the city's 2025 annual sidewalk repair contract to BMCI Construction and to reject the apparent low bidder, Ford Contractors, after staff said prior work from the low bidder did not meet the city's standards.

Public Works staff described a two-stage bidding approach and said bids covered seven geographic areas. Staff recommended awarding contract 2504 for Areas 1–6 to BMCI at unit prices summing to $123,990, plus a roughly 5.65% contingency, for a total allocation not to exceed $131,000. Area 7 (sidewalk in front of the F Street development along Water Street) will be constructed by the private developer and reimbursed by the city because the developer’s quoted cost was lower than the bid item, staff said.

Max (Public Works staff) and other department representatives told the board that Ford Contractors, the apparent low bidder, had a history of slow responsiveness, inconsistent crews, traffic-control problems and quality issues on prior city projects in 2021 and 2023. Staff said they reached new references provided by Ford and remained unconvinced the company had improved sufficiently to meet the city's specifications. City attorney Ian cited Section 6.215 (public construction bidding) and related case law to confirm that the city may reject a low bid if the bidder is found not to be competent.

Board members discussed the decision in detail; one alderman said he had personally observed Ford's earlier work and agreed with staff concerns. A motion to award the contract to BMCI for Areas 1–6 and to reject Area 7 bids for city award (allowing the developer to construct Area 7 and be reimbursed) passed on a voice vote.

Staff will execute the contract award subject to funds and standard contracting procedures. The department said BMCI has prior experience with city projects and is expected to meet the contract requirements.