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County, Port Angeles staff to reject bids and rebid joint public safety facility after electrical subcontractor seeks higher price
Summary
County and City of Port Angeles staff recommended rejecting all construction bids for the joint public safety facility and rebidding after the electrical subcontractor tied to all three bids withdrew its 60‑day price and proposed roughly $750,000 in additional charges; commissioners authorized rebidding by voice vote.
County and city staff told Clallam County commissioners on Feb. 3 that they will reject all construction bids for a planned joint public safety facility and put the project back out for bid after discovering the same electrical subcontractor had withdrawn its original pricing.
Staff said three general‑contract bids were received — from HB Hanson Construction, Inner West Construction and Neely Construction — but all relied on an electrical subcontractor identified in the record as NewCo. "NewCo has withdrawn their bid, and instead has come back and suggested a significantly higher amount for their portion of the project to the tune of about $750,000," a county staff member said, explaining that NewCo also sought to expand its scope beyond items in the original bid package.
Scott Curtin, introduced by staff as public works director for the City of Port Angeles, told the board staff and legal counsel reviewed options and concluded rebidding is the most equitable and low‑risk approach. "Rebidding it really is in the best interest of both organizations," Curtin said, adding that the city and county would repost the bid, reach out to additional general contractors and expect to return to the commissioners with an update in about 6–8 weeks.
Commissioner (speaker 5) moved to "authorize the county and city leadership team to reject all bids and to re‑advertise and rebid this project." The motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote; commissioners responded "aye." The board did not record a roll‑call tally in the meeting transcript, so exact yes/no counts are not specified.
Staff also told the board that negotiations on a separate project‑management contract were nearly finished and would be resumed; staff said the delay to construction bidding was not expected to significantly affect project‑management work.
What happens next: staff said they will repost the full bid packet publicly and encourage broader contractor interest before returning to the commission with the results. The county framed the step as limiting liability and ensuring fair competition after discovering the subcontractor pricing and scope issues.
