Board accepts lowest responsible bidder for Community Crossings sidewalks after reference checks

The Decatur City Board of Works voted to accept the low bid from DC Construction for a Community Crossings grant-funded sidewalk and paving project after staff completed reference checks and discussed bonding and scheduling concerns.

Staff reported that DC Construction’s bid came in roughly $370,000 lower than the next lowest bidder for the sidewalks concentrated around the pool area and nearby streets. Board members said they had called the bidder’s listed references — including Lebanon, Avon and Brownsburg — and found generally acceptable reports about quality but some concerns about scheduling and the need for inspection oversight. One member noted past rounds where new bidders came in low and later moved into the middle of the pack.

Board members discussed the protections built into the bidding process: bid bonds, performance bonds during work, and a maintenance bond (staff said it typically runs about one to two years). Several members expressed concern about scheduling and the risk of paving over infrastructure that still needs underground work; staff said the contract requires a notice-to-proceed and the city can control start timing.

After deliberation the board moved to accept the lowest responsible bidder. The motion passed on a voice vote. Board members asked staff to coordinate timing with utilities and other departments and to ensure inspection oversight is in place during construction.

Staff estimated overall work including nearly 2 miles of pavement and sidewalks could take roughly three to four months once started, though that timetable was described as approximate and dependent on sequencing of underground work and sidewalk completion.