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 of intent/award, provision of performance and payment bonds, and insurance certificates). - Administrative approvals: The committee also approved routine invoices unanimously and discussed timing for issuing a formal notice of award so the contractor can obtain bonds and insurance in advance of final contract signing.

What the committee reviewed and directed - Addenda and scope clarifications: The project team issued three addenda during bidding. Addendum 1 removed the emergency generator and transfer switch from the general-contractor scope and set those items to be purchased by the town (procured off state contract). Addendum 2 clarified automatic door opener hardware; Addendum 3 delayed the bid deadline by one day because of a nore9aster and related power outages. - Generator procurement: The bid totals the committee reviewed did not include the emergency generator and transfer switch; those items are to be procured separately by the town and the project budget reflects the town-supplied price. - Filed sub-bid substitutions: The recommended award includes a substitution of a filed sub-bidder in the caulking/caulking/ waterproofing category (the A.P. Whitaker submission restricted one subcontractor that the project team advised should be substituted by the next eligible bidder). The committee reported it obtained an opinion from the assistant attorney generals office that the town may waive bid formalities and accept the substitution, with the caveat that a protest could still be filed. - Geotechnical and excavation allowance: The drawings require the contractor to provide two feet of excavation and structural fill across the building footprint (12,000 sq ft). The consultant recommended on-site geotechnical observation during excavation to document actual quantities and to certify when additional excavation is or is not required. - Utilities and site items: The committee discussed a proposed propane-tank solution (town purchase vs. lease) and the water-main work, for which separate bids were out and a placeholder of $270,000 was referenced in the packet. The committee also confirmed the general contractor will provide the generator pad and that conduit for future outbuilding services and security were included, though some plumbing and active systems for the outbuilding were intentionally deferred. - Integrated technology and security: The integrated-technology package (cameras, access control, intercom, interview-room recording) was held out of the electrical scope for separate procurement. The project budget includes a $200,000 line for that package; the committee discussed vendor selection (state-contract vendors were an option) and specific security features such as two-credential access for the evidence room and a typical 30-day video retention baseline (extendable at additional cost).

Schedule and next steps The committee discussed issuing a notice of intent/award so the recommended contractor can obtain bonds and insurance before the formal contract signing, while acknowledging formal award would follow the selectmens vote. The committee expected a construction schedule and a follow-up meeting in April to review the contractors timeline and to consider any value-engineering items the town might ask to restore.

Quotations "We're very comfortable with A.P. Whitaker and the number," the project consultant said, summarizing the team's view of the recommended award.

Closing details The committee confirmed the planning-board approvals are in place, the curb-cut permit was being submitted to MassDOT, and the Department of Health submission for the sites septic/related approvals was being prepared. Members discussed a potential groundbreaking event once construction begins.

Votes at a glance (formal recorded outcomes summarized from the meeting) - Motion: Allow low bidder to withdraw and return bid bond without damages — Outcome: approved (unanimous) - Motion: Designate A.P. Whitaker as lowest responsible and eligible bidder and proceed with award processes — Outcome: approved (unanimous) - Motion: Approve submitted invoices — Outcome: approved (unanimous)

Note on figures: where the transcript provided unclear or corrupted numeric strings for a contract total, the article reports procurement decisions and budget line items that were discussed; exact contract award amounts and final contract documents are expected to appear in the formal notice of award and contract packet submitted to the selectmen.