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Commission awards parking‑ramp electrical contract using ARPA funds and authorizes signatures
Summary
The Grand Forks County Commission accepted a bid from Nate’s Electric for electrical work on the county parking ramp, authorized signature by Commissioner Bierke in Commissioner Hagan’s absence, and approved an engineering amendment for the project; ARPA funds will pay for the work under federal procurement rules.
The Grand Forks County Commission voted to award electrical work on a county parking ramp to Nate’s Electric and authorized related signatures and an engineering amendment. The project will use allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds; county staff said federal procurement requirements govern use of those funds.
County staff (Bill) and an E2S engineer reported three quotes were solicited for electrical and related work identified during a structural renovation. Two bids were fully compliant with federal funding certifications; the third lacked required documents and was not opened. The E2S engineer said the two compliant bids were “well below the established funding limit” and recommended awarding the contract to Nate’s Electric with a total bid of $99,380.
Commissioners approved the bid and also voted to allow Commissioner Terry Bierke to sign the contract and related documents in Commissioner Hagan’s absence. Staff said those related documents include the notice of award and the notice to proceed; commissioners approved allowing Bierke to sign them as well.
The commission also approved Amendment No. 1 to the engineering services agreement to cover additional professional services tied to the project. County staff clarified the professional‑services amendment would not be paid from ARPA funds but would be signed contemporaneously so the project’s work can proceed.
During the discussion, the E2S engineer described the documentary requirements tied to federal funds: certificates of good standing for workers’ compensation, a non‑collusion affidavit, a debarment certification, and an anti‑lobbying certification. Because these items tie to the funding source, the engineer recommended not opening the noncompliant bidder’s pricing. Commissioners asked whether ARPA‑allocated funds could be retained for potential change orders; county staff confirmed funds could be used for change orders that fall within the original contract scope or in certain exception scenarios (for example, rebid because the selected contractor became unavailable).
Motions to accept Nate’s Electric’s bid, to authorize Commissioner Bierke to sign for Commissioner Hagan, to authorize signatures for related award documents, and to approve the engineering amendment were moved, seconded and carried with commissioners present voting in favor. The meeting record indicates no opposed votes on these items.
Staff said final completion is expected in November 2025, aligned with the structural renovation schedule. The commission instructed staff to finalize documents for signatures and to proceed with contracting consistent with federal funding requirements and county procurement rules.
