Lakeville building committee accepts low bidder, allows one withdrawal and confirms next steps on police station

The Town of Lakeville Building Committee on March 20 recommended awarding the construction contract for the towns new police station to A.P. Whitaker and unanimously approved a separate motion allowing a low bidder to withdraw its offer without penalty.

The committees consultant reported that nine general-contractor bids were received and that one apparent low bid contained a clerical error. The committee voted to accept the withdrawing bidders request and to return that bidders bid bond; members then voted to designate A.P. Whitaker as the lowest responsible and eligible bidder and to proceed toward contract award.

Why it matters: awarding a contractor moves the project from design and procurement into the construction phase. Committee members also reviewed several contract clarifications and remaining procurement tasks that could affect schedule and downstream costs.

Committee discussion and motions - Withdrawal of low bid: The consultant said the lowest bid omitted required filed-subcontract amounts and asked the committee to allow the contractor to withdraw and to return its 5% bid bond without damages. A motion to allow the withdrawal and return the bond passed unanimously. - Award recommendation: After review of bid completeness, acknowledgement of addenda and confirmations about filed subcontractors, the committee voted unanimously to designate A.P. Whitaker as the lowest responsible and eligible bidder and to move forward with contract award procedures (notice…