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Altoona council awards $5.69 million contract for Jordan Well No. 5 after bids top engineer estimate
Summary
The City of Altoona awarded Gingerich Well & Pump Service LLC a $5,687,610 contract (base bid plus corrosion-resistant alternate) to drill Jordan Well No. 5, a new source well north of Sam Wise Park; the lowest responsive base bid exceeded the engineer's estimate by more than $1.1 million.
The Altoona City Council on Jan. 5 approved plans, accepted bids and awarded a $5,687,610 contract to Gingerich Well & Pump Service LLC to drill and develop Jordan Well No. 5, a new source water well in the Jordan aquifer north of Sam Wise Park.
Public Utilities Director Dan Scott told the council the city received two bids on Dec. 16, 2025. The lowest responsive base bid was $5,491,140; an alternate for more corrosion-resistant casing added $196,470. Those totals exceed the design engineer's opinion of probable construction cost of $4,380,000.
The council voted to approve the plans and specifications and to authorize the contract and bond, with motions noted as "subject to legal review." All roll-call votes on the well-related items were recorded in favor, 4-0.
City officials said the project will install a new source well intended to serve the city's water system; the council record does not specify the project's funding source or the project schedule beyond the contract award. The public hearing on the project drew no public comment.
Legal review and contract finalization are the next steps before construction begins. The council recorded approvals of the plans, the contract and the formal award during the meeting.
