Commissioners award CDBG-funded Rancho Alegre waterline contract to low bidder Tom Oaks Construction

The Commissioners Court of Jim Wells County approved awarding a construction contract for a Rancho Alegre waterline replacement project to the low bidder, Tom Oaks Construction, after the project engineer recommended that action on Jan. 29.

Raul Garcia, the project engineer, told the court that the project would replace 2-inch lines on Rosario and Herrera with an 8-inch main tied into existing 12-inch and 6-inch lines and would include fire protection. He said five bids were received and the low base bid from Tom Oaks Construction was $356,500 against a project budget of $400,200 under the Texas Department of Agriculture CDBG contract CDV230313.

"I do recommend that the contract be awarded to the low bidder being Tom Oaks Construction," Garcia said.

During questions, commissioners asked whether individual house service lines would be replaced or simply reconnected to the new main. Garcia said the current plan is to reconnect existing services and that casing would be installed per TCEQ requirements where sewer service lines are near new work. He cautioned that amendments or change orders were possible if the contractor discovers previously unknown lines or additional connections are added to the scope.

A motion to award the contract was made and seconded; the court approved the award by voice vote. The engineer noted that, if the court later authorizes additional connections or adjustments, the contract would be amended through change orders or a negotiated amendment so the project could spend the available grant funds.

The court also heard a brief community announcement about a veterans package distribution in Premont before adjourning.