Daggett County delays bid opening for new health and community building; project budget about $6.3 million

Project managers and county officials outlined the scope, budget and technical clarifications for a new Daggett County health and community building at a mandatory pre-bid meeting in Manila, Utah.

"This this is a mandatory meeting. Those general contractors wishing to propose on the project need to be in attendance at this meeting or be represented in this meeting," said Bart Jensen, project manager with Jones and DeMille Engineering. Jensen said the project — sited north of the courthouse — will include a health clinic, offices for the health department and a counseling provider, a fitness area, rentable small-business offices and a large, dividable community room.

Organizers said the bid advertisement lists an estimated project budget of approximately $6,300,000 and a contract completion date currently shown as June 30, 2026. In response to contractor concerns that plans and specifications were posted late, meeting organizers agreed to delay the bid opening and to publish an official addendum confirming the new bid date and the extended deadline for written questions.

"We'll issue an official addendum with that in it," Jensen said, noting staff would also extend the questions-and-answers schedule so bidders have additional time to respond to clarifications.

Architect Florence Hawkinson described the building as roughly 8,000 square feet per level (entry/main level and basement), with wood-frame construction, full sprinkler protection and an elevator to provide basement access. Hawkinson said elevator drawings and specifications (Otis/hydraulic references were discussed) will be distributed in an addendum so bidders can coordinate procurement and installation responsibilities.

On technical items, project staff confirmed the following that bidders should note:

- Some basement areas are shown as "future" spaces; under-slab plumbing will be placed now with finish work deferred.

- Owner-purchased items include certain folding partition doors and some AV equipment; the county's vendor will coordinate installation with the contractor. UBTECH offered to assist with data-cable terminations.

- Division 07 (roofing and related waterproofing/insulation) was reported by several bidders as light on detail; staff said they will provide clarification via addendum.

- A geotechnical investigation has been completed and will be posted in the first addendum; plans call for a footing drain and a perforated under-slab drain routed to an exterior manhole with a commercial-grade sump pump to manage local saturated soils.

- Designers found footing locations close to a property line and plan to revise the design to a single retaining wall roughly seven feet high at its maximum; that change and any top-of-wall safety treatment will be coordinated with the county and included in forthcoming documents.

Organizers reiterated procurement instructions: all addenda, Q&A logs and bidding documents will be posted on the procurement website referenced in the advertisement (Bonfire and the state's procurement portal as cited in the bid packet), and bidders must submit questions in writing per the advertisement's instructions. Jensen said bids may be submitted electronically to the listed contacts or delivered in person for the public opening.

Next steps: staff will issue addenda that include elevator drawings, the geotechnical report, clarification for Division 07 roofing specifications, and the official revised bid opening date and Q&A deadline. Contractors were invited to walk the site after the meeting to review conditions in person.

The Daggett County Municipal Building Authority adjourned the pre-bid meeting by acclamation at approximately 03:04; an addendum will provide the authoritative schedule and any final procurement instructions.