Jackson County public works presents annual bid recommendations; calcium chloride selected to meet specs

Jackson County public works staff told commissioners on Sept. 8 that they have completed review of the department's annual solicitation for road materials and related items and recommended awards to the lowest responsible bidders.

At an Aug. 11 bid opening county staff read bids aloud and assembled a bid tabulation included in the commission packet. Staff said most categories had a single or clearly low bidder; a small number of items were recommended for split awards where awards to multiple vendors would yield savings.

Staff explained one specific item in the solicitation: the bid requested 32 percent liquid calcium chloride but included an alternate bid for 30 percent magnesium chloride. While the magnesium chloride alternate was a few cents per gallon cheaper, staff recommended awarding the calcium chloride because it met the advertised specifications as written; staff described it as the “lowest responsible bidder” under those specs.

For plant-mix in-place (bituminous material), staff recommended Rogers Group Inc. after running historical project scenarios to model costs. Public works staff said their calculations and supporting documents were included in the packet and that they had sent the cost modeling to vendors to reduce dispute risk.

Staff said that, barring unforeseen delays, recommendation packages were intended to be ready for award and use by Oct. 1 under the county purchasing process.

Ending Public works staff asked commissioners to review the packet and contact the office with questions before awards are finalized in two weeks.