Cowlitz County awards Allender Road bridge bid, extends landfill consultant contract and approves electrical services

The Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners approved three public works procurement items during its meeting.

County Engineer Susan Eugenis described Amendment No. 2 to the professional services agreement with BHC Consultants for solid waste projects, asking to increase the contract by $1,200,000 to a new maximum of $2,200,000 and to extend the agreement through Dec. 31, 2027. Eugenis said the work will include landfill cell closure work, downsizing an oversized flare at the Tenet Way site and additional leachate treatment before discharge.

Eugenis also presented the bid award for the Allender Road Bridge replacement, a federally funded bridge project. Thirteen bids were received; the low responsive bidder was Western United Civil Group LLC at $1,647,545.25, below the engineer’s estimate and within available federal bridge program funding (project funding capped at $2,000,000). The board approved the bid award by voice vote.

Finally, the board awarded a not‑to‑exceed $150,000 contract for as‑needed electrical services at county facilities to Advanced Electrical Technologies (AET), the low bidder and incumbent on the previous contract. Commissioners asked routine clarifying questions about scope and vendor selection before approving the motion.

Ending: Staff will finalize contract documents and return any required execution paperwork to the clerk; the Allender Road project will proceed with contract finalization and a notice to proceed consistent with federal grant requirements.