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Commissioners shift Snow Hill library renovation to local contractor after debate over $12,000 bid difference
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Summary
County staff recommended awarding the Snow Hill branch renovation to the lowest responsive bidder at $2,178,005. Commissioners debated using a local contractor and, after an amendment by Commissioner Karen Abbott, approved awarding the project to a local firm by a 6–1 vote.
The Worcester County Commissioners on April 7 amended a staff recommendation and voted 6–1 to award the Snow Hill branch library renovation to a local contractor instead of the lowest responsive bidder.
County staff told commissioners the lowest responsive bid was from Oak Contracting at $2,178,005, which included a 5% contingency. Staff said the bid evaluation took the priced alternatives and contingency into account and recommended awarding to Oak as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder. Staff also said the branch would face intermittent closures for HVAC and door repairs during the renovation and that a temporary location off Bank Street is already serving some programs.
Commissioner Karen Abbott moved to amend the motion and award the contract to Harkins, a local company, noting the roughly $12,000 difference from the low bid. Supporters of using a local firm, including Commissioner Fiore, argued the small premium was worth keeping construction dollars on the Eastern Shore and supporting contractors who pay local taxes. Opponents cautioned about overriding procurement decisions and the precedent of directing awards away from the lowest responsive bidder.
The county staff said its current procurement policies do not include a formal local-preference formula; commissioners were told they are free to vote for local preference on a case-by-case basis. Staff also agreed to annotate future procurement packets to make it easier to identify which bidders are local to the shore.
After discussion, the amended motion to use the local company passed 6–1. One commissioner voiced opposition, saying the county should be cautious about overriding staff recommendations and about fairness to the originally recommended bidder.
The project includes the contract value and a 5% contingency. Commissioners asked for more detail on anticipated closures and schedules; staff said there will be phased closures and that the temporary Bank Street location holds library collections and programs during work. The board gave staff direction to proceed with the award as amended.
The commission handled the library item during its regular meeting and moved on to other agenda business.
