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Commissioners question wide price and hours differences on Lincoln Park dredge permitting contract
Summary
The board reviewed a $94,680 contract for permitting work to support Lincoln Park lake dredging. Commissioner William O'Dea asked why bidders' hour estimates and subcontracting values varied so widely and asked staff for hourly-rate and line-item detail; staff agreed to provide the breakdown. Park staff said the combined lakes cover a little over two acres.
Hudson County presented a Fair and Open professional-services contract to Dresdner Robin Environmental Management for the permitting phase of a proposed Lincoln Park lake dredge, listed at $94,680. Commissioners asked why bids from environmental firms showed large discrepancies in estimated hours and subcontracting costs.
Commissioner William O'Dea pressed for a clearer line-item explanation: "What baffles my mind a little bit is the fact that a vendor who has 15 or 20 percent, 20 percent less hours, has a 50 percent higher price..." County staff said bidders use their own billing rates and that subcontracting can explain part of the variability. Tom Malavasi said he could supply the breakdown of hours and subcontracting by bidder to clarify the disparity.
Kevin Wong, speaking for parks staff, said the two Lincoln Park lakes together are about "a little over two acres," placing the permitting scope in spatial context during the caucus exchange.
Why it matters: Permitting and design fees are early and definitional costs for dredging projects; large variances in consultant estimates can affect project budgeting, schedule and procurement decisions.
Next steps: County staff committed to provide an hourly-rate and subcontracting breakdown for the bidders so commissioners can compare labor rates and subcontracted work before moving forward on permitting procurement or authorizing further design work.
