Cochise County Jail District approves $385,196 owner's-representative contract

The Cochise County Jail District board approved a $385,196 contract with Vanner Construction Management Inc. on Aug. 19 to provide owner's-representative services for the county jail project. The board voted 3-0 to authorize Contract 24-38-BOS-01, to be funded from jail excise tax revenues.

The contract follows a June 2024 request for qualifications in which the county received three statements of qualifications. "These services would provide overall project management services for, all phases of the jail project," said Phil Bardon, the project manager, describing the scope presented to the board. Bardon told the board a review committee interviewed firms, ranked Vanner Construction Management as the most qualified and the firm later provided a scope of work and fee proposal after presenting to the board on July 23.

Supervisor Gomez moved to consider the item and the chairman seconded the motion. Mike Bieber, introduced as a project director with the selected firm, attended the meeting and told the board he would not take additional time unless there were questions. The board approved the contract 3-0.

Earlier in the meeting the board also approved consent agenda items 1 and 2 by voice vote; the consent items were not described on the record. The jail district adjourned after completing the business on the agenda; a subsequent regular meeting was announced but no date was specified in the public remarks recorded in the transcript.

The approval authorizes county staff to proceed with retaining an owner's representative under the stated contract number and amount. The contract is designated to be paid from jail excise tax revenues; the transcript did not specify additional contract terms, a start date, or the vendor's exact legal address. The county staff indicated further questions would be addressed as the project moves forward.