Clay County awards $1.85 million paving contract for SAP 14-634-032 to Central Specialties

County engineering staff presented bids for SAP 14-634-032, a paving project from Felton to the Piler on County Road Cassaw 34, and commissioners approved the low electronic bid from Central Specialties Inc. for $1,846,160.10.

The nut graf: The low bid was about $1 million below the highest bid and below the county engineer's conservative estimate, giving the county flexibility in its five‑year plan and the possibility of advancing an additional project this construction season.

Engineering staff read the engineer's estimate and the seven bids into the record: "The engineer's estimate on this project was $2,709,855.10," the presenter said. Reported bids included Dunnock Inc. at $2,722,556.45; Border States Paving at $2,437,799.36; Anderson Brothers Construction at $2,274,567.30; RJ Zavoral and Sons at $2,097,100.55; Mark Sand and Gravel Company at $2,077,388.40; Knife River Materials at $2,049,668.80; and Central Specialties Incorporated at $1,846,160.10.

Commissioners moved to accept Central Specialties' bid and approved the motion by voice vote. A county engineering official said because bidding was electronic, the award is subject only to standard on‑line bid verification rather than paper error checks.

Clarifying details: The engineer noted the unusual variability in mix prices and said this was the first paving job opened in District 4 this season, making the price signals particularly useful for the county's five‑year plan.

Ending: The board carried the motion and staff will return with contract documents for signature and project scheduling.