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Council accepts Jenbacher bid for Houma power plant generators amid questions on cost and 24‑month lead time

Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government (committee meetings) · April 1, 2026

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Summary

Councilors voted to accept a Jenbacher bid for nine generator units for the new Houma power plant and heard staff explain a delivery lead time of up to 24 months and why alternates and installation raise the total from a $63 million base to roughly $77 million.

Terrebonne Parish councilors on March 23 approved accepting the bid from Jenbacher for the generator portion of the new Houma power plant and heard a presentation on cost breakdowns and long lead times.

The Budget & Finance Committee accepted the bid after staff explained that the base bid covers nine generators at roughly $63 million; alternates, additional units and installation/transportation increase the total to about $77 million. Council members questioned the large difference and the $12 million transportation/installation line; staff said the $77 million figure includes alternates and installation costs and that delivery for the units could be 'up to 24 months.'

Why it matters: The parish is using FEMA‑obligated funds for portions of this project and separating procurement of the generator units from the building design to avoid contractors marking up generator costs and to align long lead items with design work.

What was said: Presenter Bill Blanchett (GIS), introduced to the committee as the engineering firm contact, said, "This is a rendering of the proposed design for the new Houma Power Plant" and explained the two‑building concept separating the control room from the generator building. He added that "the delivery on these units are, up to 24 months," citing current manufacturing demands.

Council members pressed for clarity on scope and pricing. Councilman Harding said he was concerned about the $77,000,000 figure and the $12,000,000 transportation line. Staff responded that the $63,000,000 was the base bid and that alternates and installation account for the remainder, and that parish staff would return with details for the remainder of the project’s bids.

Vote and next steps: The motion to accept the bid was moved and seconded on the record and passed unanimously. Staff said the council will return with the remainder of the bids for the building and operations portion of the project and provide further breakdowns of costs and schedule.