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Commission rescinds one pathway bid award, reassigns contract after bid irregularity
Summary
County staff and the parks/recreation office briefed commissioners after a low bid was found to quote fewer linear feet than the county's RFQ; commissioners rescinded the prior award and approved assigning the contract to the other qualified bidder.
County staff and the parks/recreation office briefed commissioners on the Simpson Trail pathway project after a review of the bids revealed an irregularity.
Director Andrew Bingaman explained that the lower-priced bid had been for 3,500 linear feet while the county's request-for-qualifications (RFQ) covered about 6,700 linear feet. Bingaman said the apparent discrepancy meant the lower bid did not meet the advertised specifications and therefore could be considered nonresponsive under Idaho procurement code. "The bid that we awarded ... was only for 3,500 linear feet of pathway. The pathway project ... was for 6,700 linear feet," Bingaman said.
Bingaman told the board the county was approximately $115,000 short based on the higher qualified bid and that an easement tied to a private development (the Elo storage unit development) could reduce the county's required linear feet if that project follows through on its condition to build part of the pathway and provide an easement. Staff recommended rescinding the award to the nonresponsive bidder and awarding the contract to the other qualified bidder; commissioners moved, seconded and approved the action on the record.
Why it matters: The rescission and reassignment are rooted in procurement law; the county must either find additional funding or adjust scope if adjacent private development reduces its construction obligation. Staff noted the construction timeline may push into spring if a November completion is not feasible.
Motion and outcome: A commissioner moved to rescind the award given to the first bidder (described on the record as nonresponsive) and to award the contract to the other qualified bidder under state code. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
Context and next steps: Staff said they will finalize the contract paperwork and present it to the board for approval in roughly two weeks before work orders proceed. The county will ask for an extension on grant deadlines if construction cannot be completed this fall.
