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Reno County approves Station 2 EMS design for bid; commissioners question sprinkler, costs and local bidding competition
Summary
The county approved final Station 2 EMS remodel drawings and authorized staff to solicit bids; the estimated remodel cost is $600,000 with a new fire suppression requirement and water main work raising the price, and commissioners pressed for clearer bidding outreach and domestic sourcing to avoid shipping delays.
Reno County approved 100% design documents for a remodel of the Nelson building as Station 2 EMS and authorized staff to put the project out to bid, although commissioners expressed concerns about costs, a newly required fire suppression system and the county’s recent experience receiving few competitive bids.
Kyle Stewart, Reno County director of facilities, presented the finalized drawings and a probable cost estimate. "Construction costs for this building, Hutton estimated is $600,000 for the remodel," Stewart said, and he described alternates that could increase or reduce the final contract price.
The county’s estimated budget rose after the city required part of the building to be sprinklered. Stewart said the added scope — sprinklering bedrooms and the kitchen area plus a new fire main to the city water main — accounts for roughly $63,000 of the estimate.
Why this matters: The remodel will house county EMS staff and include sleeping quarters, kitchens and administrative space. Commissioners said the project must be economical and asked staff to press bidders on domestic availability of long‑lead items and to try to increase contractor competition.
Commissioners and staff discussed recent procurements that produced a single bid and said they want to broaden outreach. Stewart said past single‑bid results reflected labor availability and contractors’ willingness to do sealed public work; he also said staff will ask bidders about line‑item costs and alternatives after bids return.
The commission approved the motion to accept the drawings and move the project to bid. No construction contract was awarded at the meeting; staff will return with bid results and a recommendation for award when bids are evaluated.
Ending: Staff will solicit bids using the approved 100% drawings, evaluate responses and brief the commission on cost, required alternates and possible scope adjustments.
