Finance committee backs award for Broadway culvert repair after low bid deemed nonresponsive

The Bangor City finance committee voted to forward a staff recommendation to award a contract for a Broadway culvert repair after finding the apparent low bid nonresponsive. Engineering staff told the committee the project will replace about 15 feet of failing corrugated metal pipe with a concrete box culvert, clean the existing culvert, regrade the ditch, and restore the surface.

Unidentified engineering staff said six bids were received but the lowest bid was rejected because the bidder failed to submit a required bid bond or an addendum. Staff recommended awarding the work to CNC Lynch Excavation of Holden, Maine, the next lowest responsive bidder, for $85,245.60. Because that figure exceeds the project budget, staff proposed using $10,002.45 from the drainage improvement fund to cover the difference.

Councilor Bella asked why the low bidder was ruled incomplete; engineering staff said the bidder was contacted, could not provide the missing documents, and was therefore deemed nonresponsive. A council member asked whether tapping the drainage improvement fund would postpone any other projects; staff replied that no other projects would be delayed and that it is not yet known whether the fund will be replenished in the next budget cycle.

A committee member moved and seconded the staff recommendation and the committee approved sending the item to the full Bangor City Council for final action next week. The committee record shows the motion was moved and seconded and that the committee consented to advance the recommendation; the transcript does not supply a complete roll-call tally for this item.