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Contract for Wilderness Golf Course bunker repairs pulled after bidder raises concerns about vetting
Summary
Council paused final approval of a $347,386 bunker-repair contract after the unsuccessful bidder, GCP Contractors, said references were not contacted. Staff said they will recheck references and return with a recommendation.
Lake Jackson — City staff deferred final action on a proposed $347,386 contract for bunker repairs at Wilderness Golf Course after a bidder disputed the procurement process during public comment at the Sept. 2 City Council meeting.
The council item as posted sought authority to award a contract to RGR Golf Services LLC and authorize the city manager to execute the agreement. Carl Pond, who identified himself as owner of GCP Contractors, told council that his company — a local general contractor that submitted a lower bid — was told it “was not qualified” and said none of his listed references had been contacted.
City staff responded that they had reviewed references and procurement materials and that the city sought a contractor with specific golf-course bunker experience and specialized equipment. Staff said some references provided by GCP appeared to be employees or otherwise not directly relevant to prior bunker work. Blaine (staff) and others explained that bunker work requires particular drain and contour expertise and specialized articulated equipment to avoid damaging bunker bottoms.
After an extended exchange, Mayor Gerald Roslowski said staff would “reevaluate” the procurement, call listed references, and return to council with either the same recommendation or a revised recommendation. No contract was executed at the meeting and staff deferred final award pending the reference checks.
City staff told council they had reached their decision based on qualification details in the bid packages and said they had two bidders with golf-course experience on the solicitation. Carl Pond disputed that his bid had been fairly vetted and asked staff to consult his references and the city attorney; staff agreed to do so.
The discussion arose after council removed the item from the consent agenda for public comment. Council did not vote to approve the contract on Sept. 2.
Staff said they would follow up with reference checks and present any new recommendation to council at a later meeting.
