Warrick County — The Warrick County board voted unanimously to issue a notice of award to Sims Electric for an electrical upgrade project, the board said during its regular meeting. Board members were presented a single responsive bid and, after discussion about cost differences and procurement options, approved the notice so the contractor can deliver required contract documents.

The presenter told the board the solicitation "was advertised appropriately" and that plans were posted in local and national plan rooms, including Dodge. "There were 4 people including the Dodge that acquired plans," the presenter said. Of those, Sims Electric was the only contractor to submit a formal bid.

Board members pressed staff about a difference between the engineer's estimate and the bid. One member said the engineer's estimate was "almost twice" — or more than twice — the submitted price. Staff explained the gap was largely due to two high-cost items that had been prepurchased to accelerate the project: a large switchboard (listed in the packet as $107,006.97) and a transformer/primary power line item (listed at $50,000). Staff also pointed to a 15 percent contingency line in the engineer's estimate (about $51,000) and separate CenterPoint-related contingencies described in the packet.

The presenter explained the engineer on the project, Joe Sims of Sims Engineering, is related to the contractor (he is Joe Sims' nephew, Travis Sims, who owns Sims Electric); staff said the two are separate entities and the relationship was disclosed in the discussion. Aegis, the county's engineering reviewer, will confirm whether the bid conforms to the project specifications before the contract is executed.

Board counsel and staff said the board had two main options: reject all bids and rebid the project (which counsel estimated would likely delay the work by roughly 45–60 days), or award to the sole responsive bidder if Aegis determined the bid was in conformance. Staff warned that rebidding could jeopardize the county's ability to encumber the current budgeted funds for the project.

On the motion to "issue the notice of award to Sims Electric," Charlie Wyatt moved and Tracy Matthews seconded. The board voted 'aye'; the motion carried unanimously. The presenter said the notice of award gives the contractor about 10 business days to provide performance bonds, insurance and other documents, after which the contract will be placed on the next meeting agenda for formal execution.

The board concluded its regular business after confirming packet copies and next steps for contract documentation.