Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Works Contracts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Essex County approves multimillion-dollar public-works contracts, including hospital maintenance and traffic-signal projects
Summary
The board approved multiple Public Works awards and federally funded transportation contracts, including an $8.14 million hospital-maintenance contract and nearly $9.9 million for construction of 12 traffic signals; county officials said some projects are fully funded by federal grants.
Essex County commissioners on Wednesday approved a slate of public-works contracts and federal grant insertions that county officials said will fund building maintenance, road safety improvements and bridge design work across the county.
The board voted to award a three-year building-maintenance contract for the Essex County Hospital Center to DCO Energy for a total not to exceed $8,143,251, and a separate three-year maintenance award for the county juvenile detention center to DCO for $3,951,410. David Del Vecchio of DCO Energy told commissioners the firm has worked at the hospital center “since it opened” and said roughly 30% of his company’s employees are Essex County residents.
The board also approved transportation contracts funded by federal grants: Dewberry Engineers received a contract for construction engineering and support services for traffic-signal projects (about $1.69 million), and Fagon Electric won the construction contract for improving 10 existing intersections and building two new signalized intersections for an amount not to exceed $9,887,292. Francisco D’Souza of Fagon Electric described the firm as a 40-year, union shop that hires from local union halls.
Public Works Director David Antonio told the board the construction work will include audible pedestrian signals at intersections adjacent to schools. “Three of the 12 signals in question are immediately adjacent to a school,” he said, and added that the audible signals “are now gonna be included in all our signals.”
The board also authorized several related awards and contract extensions: engineering and construction support for additional signalism and roadway improvements in Bloomfield; 24-month extensions for routine drainage and culvert work; and developer-funded installation of a traffic signal on Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange.
County officials described the Bridge Street bridge project separately: the board accepted a $21,398,692.53 NJDOT grant for final design engineering of a full replacement of the Bridge Street span; the administration said the total project cost is likely “north of $200,000,000,” and that environmental and federal grant requirements will be addressed during the final-design phase.
Why it matters: The awards move forward major capital and maintenance work that county officials said is necessary for public safety, facility operations and federally funded transportation improvements. Many of the transportation contracts are fully funded by federal grants, reducing direct county capital outlays for construction.
What’s next: Vendors introduced themselves at the meeting and answered commissioners’ questions about workforce and local hiring. The board approved the contracts by roll call; procurement teams will finalize agreements and schedule construction and service start dates.
Quotes: David Del Vecchio (DCO Energy): “We’ve been at the hospital center since it opened, and we’re very happy about our partnership with the county.”
David Antonio (Department of Public Works): “There’s always things that come up that need to be purchased — it’s a good asset to have that allowance in the contract.”
Provenance: Topic introduced by county staff at the Public Works presentation (topicintro), with vendor testimony and commissioner questions concluding the discussion (topfinish).
