Fall River Affordable Housing Authority awards multiple contracts, approves advertising for repairs and security upgrades

The Fall River Affordable Housing Authority voted to award multiple contracts and to authorize solicitations for building repairs and security upgrades at several authority-owned developments during a public meeting (date not specified).

The board approved indefinite-quantity delivery contracts for architectural and engineering services covering 18 federally aided developments, awarding work to BLW Engineers Inc.; CA Crowley Engineering Inc.; JM Booth & Associates Inc.; NV5 Planning & Design Inc.; and Stark Architects, Inc. The authority also approved a $384,700 contract for apartment conversion work at Cardinal Maderas Towers (Phase 3) to Coletta Contracting Company.

In procurement for utility work at Maple Gardens (EOHLC number 095192), the authority voted to award the gas-service replacement contract to Hydro Mechanical Inc., for $115,645, contingent on final approval by EOHLC. Board discussion that preceded the vote said the authority did not recommend the apparent low bidder because one sister community reported an unfavorable evaluation; the authority noted the low bidder’s prior certification had been suspended and that a bid protest had been referred to the inspector general’s office.

The board also approved a package of other procurements and solicitations: permission to advertise for replacement of five boilers and one complete building block at Doolin Apartments; permission to advertise for video security modernization at Doolin Apartments using Hanwha equipment (staff said the brand is widely used across authority sites and argued it promotes parts and maintenance consistency); permission to advertise roof replacements on Phase 7 buildings at Sunset Hill; a six-month electrical-supplies contract with Electrical Wholesalers Inc., not to exceed $50,000; and a five-year elevator maintenance contract (with two one-year renewal options at the authority’s discretion) to Delta Beckwith Elevator Company, not to exceed $489,600.

The authority also authorized two five-year rooftop antenna leases at Mitchell Heights and Raymond D. Holmes (site names as listed in meeting materials) to T-Mobile Northeast LLC at a monthly rent of $3,600 per site.

The executive director gave a staff update noting recent hires (three public housing clerks), upcoming resident health clinics (one in April and one in June at Oliveira Community Room and Doolin Apartments community room, serving elderly and disabled residents), and that three department directors will attend a three-day PHA Web seminar in Florida covering software updates affecting management, Section 8, and finance.

All motions reported in the meeting minutes were adopted by voice vote; the meeting record shows no roll-call tallies for the listed motions and no opposing votes were recorded in the transcript for these items. Several items (notably the Hydro Mechanical award) were approved “contingent upon final approval by EOHLC,” per staff recommendation.

Votes at a glance - Architectural/engineering IDIQ contracts: awarded to BLW Engineers Inc.; CA Crowley Engineering Inc.; JM Booth & Associates Inc.; NV5 Planning & Design Inc.; Stark Architects, Inc. Outcome: approved by voice vote; no opposing votes recorded. - Cardinal Maderas Towers, Phase 3 apartment conversions: Coletta Contracting Company, $384,700. Outcome: approved by voice vote; no opposing votes recorded. - Maple Gardens gas-service replacement (EOHLC #095192): Hydro Mechanical Inc., $115,645; award contingent on EOHLC final approval. Outcome: approved by voice vote; no opposing votes recorded. - Permission to advertise: boiler replacement at Doolin Apartments (five boilers and one building block). Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Permission to advertise: video security modernization (Hanwha equipment) at Doolin Apartments. Outcome: approved by voice vote; discussion noted possible proprietary concerns but staff said the brand is widely used for parts consistency. - Permission to advertise: roof replacements at Sunset Hill (Phase 7, buildings 20, 6 and 30). Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Electrical supplies contract: Electrical Wholesalers Inc., six-month contract, not to exceed $50,000. Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Elevator maintenance contract: Delta Beckwith Elevator Company, five years with two one-year options, not to exceed $489,600. Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Rooftop antenna leases: two five-year leases to T-Mobile Northeast LLC, $3,600 per site per month. Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Executive director evaluation distribution: approved for distribution to department heads with return to executive office assistant by 02/28/25. Outcome: approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: The approvals and solicitations cover modernization and safety work across multiple authority properties, lock in vendors and contract amounts for near-term capital and maintenance work, and create ongoing revenue through rooftop leases. Several awards are contingent on external approvals (EOHLC) or subject to protest procedures referenced during discussion, which could affect project timing and final contractor selection.

What’s next: Several procurements include advertising or are contingent on external approval; staff will return with bid results, final approvals and, where applicable, EOHLC sign-off. The executive director and department directors will pursue software and operational updates after the PHA Web seminar and will schedule the resident health clinics described in the report.