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Epstein Bridge bids exceed budget after low bidder deemed nonresponsive; commissioners approve small EDA reimbursement
Summary
County staff reported the apparent low bidder for the Epstein Bridge replacement failed to respond to an addendum, making that bid nonresponsive. The next bidder exceeded the county's budget by roughly $750,000. Commissioners approved one EDA grant reimbursement request of about $42,000.
County staff told commissioners the apparent lowest bid on the Epstein Bridge replacement project is nonresponsive because it omitted a required addendum. The county's engineering reviewer (Parametrix/Parametrics) flagged the omission and staff forwarded the issue to the prosecuting attorney's office for legal review.
A county staff member said the next lowest bidder submitted a price approximately $1.8 million, which is roughly $750,000 above the project budget. "That's over our budget," the staff member said, and added the matter now depends on legal guidance and whether the county can ask the next bidder to lower its price or rebid the project.
Commissioners approved a separate motion to submit a request for reimbursement under an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant for the Epstein Bridge project. The reimbursement request, described by staff as "a little over $42,000," was approved by motion and vote.
Staff said options include asking the EDA and other funders for additional money, rebidding the project, or pursuing legal options depending on the prosecutor's advice. The county also plans to consult nearby agencies and highway districts about handling nonresponsive bids.
The discussion did not implement a final procurement decision; staff will return with legal guidance and a recommendation about whether to rebid, negotiate with the next bidder, or seek additional funds.
