Council Awards Roadway, Harbor and Florence Grama Contracts; Total Construction Work Noted

The City Council approved a series of procurement actions and contract awards for public works and capital projects.

The Department of Public Services recommended awarding the Roadway Improvement Program 2025 contract to Pawtucket Hot Mix Asphalt of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, as the lowest responsive bidder. The total contract price will not exceed $3,473,645 and includes $2,967,165 for anticipated construction work, $156,480 for police traffic control, and $350,000 for project contingencies. The council approved the award by voice vote.

The Harbor Department received council approval to award a separate contract to Rhode Island Mooring Service, Inc. for construction and installation of a small-boat mooring field at a cost of $24,000; the project is budgeted and the contract award passed without recorded opposition.

The council also approved a recommendation from the Department of Resilience and Sustainability to award construction-management-at-risk services for renovations to the Florence Grama Center to ALBORG Construction Corporation. The contract includes a pre-construction services fee of $39,000 and contemplates a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) to be brought back to council; the estimated total contract not to exceed $5,500,000. The Grama Center renovation is funded in part by pandemic-recovery program allocations and is a joint-use project serving both Newport and Middletown residents.

Councilors asked about funding sources and cost-sharing; Theresa Keen, director of Resilience and Sustainability, said the Florence Grama project is supported by a $7.5 million pandemic recovery award that covers improvements and program spaces for workforce development, healthcare delivery and education, and that Newport is serving as fiscal agent for the award.

All contracts were approved during the meeting; staff will present the GMP for the Florence Grama Center to the council once final pricing is set.