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LaSalle County opens bids for downtown courtroom renovation; staff to probe large bid gap
Summary
At the Nov. 24 property committee meeting, staff opened two bids for the downtown courthouse courtroom finish upgrades — one read as roughly $45,000, the other about $96,250 — and said they will research the large discrepancy before recommending award at the Dec. 8 county board meeting.
LaSalle County property committee members opened bids Nov. 24 for courtroom finish upgrades at the downtown courthouse and instructed staff to investigate an unexpectedly large difference between the two offers.
Kurt (committee staff) said the project’s original estimate without contingency was $125,000 but that some door work was removed from the scope. He read the two bids aloud: "Base bid, $45,000.04," he said for Leapart Construction of Ottawa, Illinois, noting the submission included a 5% bid bond; and "Base bid of $96,250.09," he said for Timan Builders of LaSalle, Illinois, also with a 5% bond. He added no voluntary alternates or stipulations were listed in either submission.
Committee members questioned why the two bids differed so sharply. Kurt said he would research the discrepancy, consult with Don (county staff), and prepare a formal recommendation for the full county board packet. He said the goal is to place a recommendation on the Dec. 8 board agenda and that the committee could hold a brief meeting beforehand if more explanation is needed.
Kurt also noted Leapart (also referenced elsewhere in the record as Leppard) has a long history working for the county and that, if the low bidder confirms an error, they may ask to withdraw the bid. The committee did not vote on an award; the matter was left to staff follow-up.
What happens next: staff will verify bid calculations and bidder qualifications, include a recommendation and any recommended contract award in the Dec. 8 board packet, and schedule a short committee briefing beforehand if required.
