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Assembly Finance Committee awards Big Dipper structural-repairs contract to Gem Company LLC
Summary
The Assembly Finance Committee voted to award a contract for seismic and roof upgrades at the Big Dipper to Gem Company LLC; staff reported the lowest responsive bid and the committee approved the award after questions about bid tabulation and facility impacts.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly Finance Committee on Feb. 19 approved a contract award for structural upgrades to the Big Dipper, including diaphragm strengthening, roof replacement and shear wall work, and authorized funding use from the Capital Improvement Program maintenance reserve.
Assembly Chair called for a staff report and staff described the scope of work and the competitive procurement. Staff said Gem Company LLC was the lowest responsive, responsible bidder and recommended awarding the base bid plus additive alternates 1–4. During the presentation staff reported a combined figure of $2,373,035 for the base bid plus alternates and noted the meeting agenda had published an incorrect amount. The chair later announced the award and an amount of $2,375,035 on the floor; the transcript records both figures.
Why it matters: the work is intended to increase seismic resiliency and improve roof access and fall protection at a public recreation facility used by community groups; staff said the project was funded in part through prior CIP allocations (design $550,000 in FY25 and $3,555,000 for construction in the current fiscal year).
The motion to award was made by Assemblymember Wilson and seconded by Mr. Rodeman; the committee took a roll-call vote and announced the contract award to Gem Company LLC. Several members asked procurement staff to confirm the bid-tabulation documents and to explain why an estimated cost on a fund-verification page differed from the award amount; staff explained the fund-verification number was an estimated project cost and did not control the award, which is based on the lowest responsive, responsible bidder.
Assembly members also questioned practical impacts on recreation: staff said most work will occur in the roof space, but one ice rink will be used as a lay-down area during construction, leaving other rinks available for summer use. Staff noted that repaving pickleball courts is expensive and that separate CIP projects address those courts.
Next steps: the clerk recorded the roll-call vote and the chair announced the award. The contract will proceed to procurement and project implementation; staff said they will continue to coordinate scheduling to limit disruption to facility users.
