Torrington council awards $1.2 million bid for airport terminal, contingent on FAA and WYDOT sign-off

The Torrington City Council on Aug. 19 approved awarding the FY26 Airport Terminal Building bid to Ditzler Construction Corporation for $1,198,377.15, contingent on final approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Wyoming Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division.

Director of Public Works Jeff Harkins told the council the bid package covers construction of a new terminal building and relocation of radio, weather and monitoring equipment into the new building. Harkins said three contractors submitted conforming bids; Ditzler was the low bidder and the bid came in about 48.7% higher than the engineer's estimate of $806,050.

Harkins summarized the cost and funding: the construction contract is $1,198,377.15 and prior-approved engineering to MC Shaft was not to exceed $135,650.21, bringing the total project cost to $1,359,027.15. Funding combines five years of apportionment money (95% FAA, 2.5% WYDOT, 2.5% city) totaling $760,000; a WYDOT state-only grant (80% WYDOT/20% city) of $250,000; a WYDOT state apportionment contribution of $33,247.15; and $315,780 borrowed from two years of future airport entitlements. Harkins said those sources produce a funding mix of about 77.5% FAA, 16.8% WYDOT and 5.7% city share.

Harkins warned the council that the FY26 budget line set aside for the project was $1,242,660, leaving a shortfall of $116,367.15; he said the city could address that through a budget amendment or in the FY27 budget if construction does not begin until spring. He also noted the contract would include federal requirements such as Buy America/Build America provisions and Davis-Bacon prevailing-wage rules because it is an FAA-funded project.

Council members asked about schedule, local contractor experience and contingency plans if costs increase. Harkins said the contractor has 110 working days from the notice to proceed to reach substantial completion and that the city expects construction to begin in spring, after the contractor orders the building and equipment. Harkins said the airport will remain functional during construction and that the project will result in the loss of roughly one tie-down position.

Harkins also said the contractor was represented at the bid opening and pre-bid meeting by Bob Dietzler. The council and Harkins discussed the possibility of re-bidding or using a construction-manager-at-risk approach; Harkins said FAA would require a new design contract if the city restarted procurement, and that restarting could cost the city for design work already completed.

Councilman Deal made the motion to approve and award; Councilman Kelly seconded. The council approved the award by voice vote; the motion and award are contingent on the FAA and WYDOT aeronautics division final approvals and the contractor providing the required performance and payment bonds.

The contract award will not take effect until those federal and state approvals are received, a step Harkins described as standard for FAA-funded airport projects. If approvals arrive, staff said they expect to issue a notice to proceed after confirming building delivery and other long-lead items.