Transportation Commission allows Joe McGee Construction to withdraw bid and approves broad slate of contracts, grants and settlements

The Mississippi Transportation Commission voted to allow McGee Construction to withdraw a recently submitted bid and then approved a broad package of work assignments, supplemental agreements, grants and settlements affecting bridge replacements, traffic-control reviews and other projects across multiple counties.

Sam Kelly, representing Joe McGee Construction, asked the commission to permit the company to withdraw its bid because of an error in the submitted documents. "We would request that the commission would allow us to withdraw the bid based upon the mistake and to release our bid bond in light of that mistake," Kelly said. The commission moved and seconded the request and approved it by voice vote.

Why it matters: the withdrawal led the commission to amend its staff recommendations for a tied bid (call number 12) and to reject and re-advertise that call, which could delay procurement for that contract and affect contractors preparing bids. The meeting also advanced dozens of other contracts and funding authorizations that will affect design, right-of-way, construction and inspection work across the state.

Details of the withdrawal and immediate follow-up

Sam Kelly said Jason McGee, who was present and was responsible for preparing the bid, could answer questions about the error. The commission received Kelly’s written request in advance of the meeting. After brief remarks and no additional questions from commissioners, the commission approved the withdrawal with an affirmative voice vote.

The commission later amended its bid recommendations for the April 22 and April 30 lettings to reject and re-advertise call number 12, citing the approved withdrawal by McGee Construction.

Votes at a glance and notable authorizations

- Motion to allow Joe McGee Construction to withdraw its bid: moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Amendment to staff recommendations for April lettings (call number 12): motion to reject and re-advertise; outcome: approved. - Omnibus approvals (consent actions read at the meeting) included authorization for multiple work assignments, supplemental agreements and grants across districts and counties. Notable items called out by staff include: • Work assignment under the Roadway Design Services Master Contract (Stantec) to evaluate value engineering recommendations and prepare final construction plans for replacement of six bridges along U.S. 51 in Madison and Yazoo counties — not to exceed $147,493.60. • Work assignment to provide Phase B final construction plans for replacement of Bridge No. 76.2 over Bogahoma Creek on Mississippi 42 in Perry County — not to exceed $108,298.02. • Topographic and hydrographic surveys for replacement of three bridges on Mississippi 26 over the Pascagoula River in George County — not to exceed $204,880.35. • A class 3 supplemental agreement with Paramount Construction Company LLC to compensate $125,361.45 for relocation of a domestic water supply line; revised contract total $2,296,231.44 and 15 working days added to new completion date of Dec. 30, 2025. • Authorization to submit and execute documents for a Federal Transit Administration Areas of Persistent Poverty program grant in an amount not to exceed $612,684 in federal funds. • Authorization for review contracts to evaluate temporary traffic control devices and activities in active construction projects and MDOT maintenance operations (work assignments with Michael Baker and Stantec) with amounts not to exceed $459,826.11 and $599,645.82 respectively. • Acceptance of settlement payments for certain property damages (examples: $789; $34,718; claims of $15,020 and $6,652.22 listed for specific incidents). • Ratification and approval of accounts payable totaling $23,800,277.01 and a payroll docket not to exceed $5,000,000 (periods listed at the meeting).

Discussion and context

Most items were presented by staff as recommended actions and moved forward with little or no debate. Commissioners asked a handful of procedural and clarifying questions: whether funding deadlines existed for certain bridge projects; why a tree-removal item in District 7 was withdrawn from a letting (staff said the district requested withdrawal to reevaluate routes and confirm funding); and whether traffic control in work zones was being monitored (staff said an independent review contractor will be engaged to evaluate traffic-control practices).

Several items required ministerial clarifications in the meeting record, such as correction of a typographical error in a not-to-exceed amount recorded in minute book references and authorization for the executive director to certify a revised right-of-way manual for submission to the Federal Highway Administration in compliance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 and 49 CFR part 24.

What’s next

Call number 12 will be rejected and re-advertised following the commission’s amendment. Other approved work assignments and grants will move into procurement, design and contracting phases per each contract's terms and the executive director's authority to execute documents. No specific additional public hearings or contested votes were scheduled on the record during this session.

Ending: The commission closed the meeting after adopting the agenda and routine procedural approvals; commissioners then moved to adjourn.