The commission voted to award and authorize execution of a $4,119,530.72 contract to Robert Bial for construction of two maintenance facilities, one at 125 Somerset and another at 2665 Pond Road. The approval came at a Dec. 30 special meeting held via Zoom after staff recommended the bidder as the lowest eligible and responsible proposer.

The recommendation was presented by Speaker 1, a staff member, who described the award as the final piece of a four-stage procurement process for the new construction. Speaker 1 said the procurement used the BidDocs online portal, that sub-bid rules require separate sub-bids for trades exceeding $25,000, and that ACG and SMRT administered evaluation work. Speaker 1 said the Robert Bial bid was about $1,000,000 lower than the next highest bid and that ACG recommended accepting the bid. “The amount as iterated in the cover letter that ACG sent of $4,119,530.72,” Speaker 1 said. “That 72¢ killed us.”

A commissioner asked whether the owner’s project manager (OPM) or the general contractor selects subcontractors. Chair (unnamed) and Speaker 1 explained the general contractor typically hires subcontractors, but the OPM and the commission can object to or request changes to particular subcontractors if there are concerns.

Before the vote a recusal was discussed because of an unspecified connection; Speaker 1 said, “So I recuse.” The record shows the final consent vote to approve the contract and related consent items was John — Aye; Mark — Aye; Allen — Aye; Christina — recused. The motion carried with three yes votes and one recusal.

The authorization includes delegation for staff signature to Rachel to execute the contract. No specific timetable for construction start was recorded during the meeting beyond the presenter's statement that the project will begin following award and contract execution.

The commission adjourned after confirming the vote and offering brief closing remarks.