Berkeley County Water & Sanitation recommends five‑year water‑tower maintenance contract to low bidder amid questions about price spread
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Summary
Berkeley County Water & Sanitation staff recommended awarding a five‑year maintenance contract for 12 water towers to Utility Services Company LLC, the low responsive bidder. Council members asked why bids varied widely by tower and whether fixed bid pricing could lead to future change orders.
Berkeley County Water & Sanitation (BCWS) staff recommended awarding a five‑year water‑tower maintenance contract for 11 existing towers and one planned tower to Utility Services Company LLC, the low responsive bidder, and the council committee approved the recommendation.
BCWS sought proposals to provide yearly inspections, exterior and interior renovations, touch up coatings, level‑indicator repairs, interior washouts and logo replacements as needed. The selection committee reviewed four proposals and recommended the low responsive bidder.
BCWS director Jimmy Crapo described the scope: “BCWS recently solicited proposals for a 5 year water tower maintenance contract for 11 existing and 1 future water towers that it owns and operates. The contract services include yearly inspections, exterior in renovations, interior renovations, touch up coatings, level indication repairs, interior washouts, and logo replacements if needed.”
Council members asked why the bids showed large per‑tower price ranges — from a few thousand dollars to $8,000–$10,000 for some towers — and whether a low bid could lead to change orders later. A councilmember said: “I'm just worried if it was too low if we're going to have change orders come back in the future on they can't do the work for the cost.” BCWS staff responded that costs vary by tower age and condition and that the intent of a multi‑year contract is to catch deterioration early to avoid major renovations later.
A staff member confirmed the contract is for five years and said the awarded bidder “cannot go any higher than what was on the bid” for the items included. The committee approved the award by voice vote; the transcript records the motion and that “all opposed? Motion carries,” but no roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript.
BCWS emphasized the award was to the low responsive bidder and that work plans differ by tower depending on age and condition; staff said the fixed bid covers specified services and that any additional, unforeseen major repairs would be addressed as needed.
