Sedalia council approves $662,874 contract for Washington Street bridge-approach rehab

The Sedalia City Council voted to approve and accept a $662,874 bid from Double Arch Construction LLC for the Washington Street Bridge Approach Rehabilitation, adopting Bill 2025-175 during a special meeting called to consider the contract award.

City staff told the council the work was advertised under IFB 20 26 0 1 6 for repair of the bridge approach and that bids were due and opened Oct. 16, 2025. Three bids were received: Double Arch Construction LLC at $662,874; Comanche Construction at $911,320.20; and Gene Hale Excavating at $952,250. Staff reviewed the submissions and recommended awarding the contract to Double Arch Construction LLC as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder.

Council members briefly discussed the disparity in the low bid. One councilmember said it “concerns me just a little that one of the bids is a third less than the others,” noting the difference was concentrated in several line items. City staff explained that much of the cost gap was in mobilization: one bidder included about $200,000 for mobilization while the recommended bidder’s mobilization line was roughly $50,000, a difference of about $150,000. Staff also noted differences in contractor locations cited in the bids.

When asked about a start date, city staff said the award is contingent on submission of payment and performance bonds, which typically take a couple of weeks to obtain. After the city receives bonds and the signed contract, staff said it would issue a notice to proceed; the contract’s end date is the primary enforceable schedule element.

Council members voted on final passage of Bill 2025-175. The roll call recorded seven votes in favor and one absence; the motion passed and staff were authorized to proceed with awarding the contract to Double Arch Construction LLC in the amount recommended by staff.

The special meeting included one agenda item and concluded after the council voted on the ordinance.