Council accepts lowest bid for cemetery sprinkler project

Brunei City Council voted Sept. 19 to accept the lowest bid for a cemetery sprinkler-system project, awarding the work to DJT Solutions for $36,500.

The vote followed a formal bid opening. City staff presented three bids received Sept. 15: DJT Solutions at $36,500; SRP Landscaping at $84,500; and Leighton Landscaping at $114,696.45. Council discussion compared the low bid’s narrower line-item description — listed only as a “sprinkler system and mainline install” — with higher bids that included gravel, weed fabric, multiple zones, drains and winterization features.

City staff said all three companies visited the site together before submitting bids. Council members and staff discussed whether the low bid covered the same scope as the higher proposals and whether anticipated change orders (for unseen conditions such as buried boulders) should be expected. A council member noted typical projects often generate change orders when crews encounter unexpected conditions.

After discussion, a motion to accept DJT Solutions’ $36,500 bid was made and seconded. The council conducted a roll call vote in which Sherry Green, Jake Bagley, Prestwich and Atkinson were recorded as voting in favor. The mayor or presiding officer announced the motion approved and the bids accepted.

City staff said the accepted contract will be managed consistent with the project scope and that change orders could be expected if unforeseen site conditions arise. No contract number or schedule was specified during the meeting.

The award completes the council’s bid-opening agenda item; staff indicated the city will use the accepted bid figure when talking with state officials about funding and next steps.

For follow-up, council members discussed monitoring change orders and allowances for unknowns in the work. No specific completion date or funding source was provided at the meeting.