Advisory board recommends KPFF for critical-mineral scoping study after RFP transparency questions

The Skagway Municipality Ports and Harbor Advisory Board on April 13 voted to recommend that the assembly award a contract to KPFF for a critical mineral concentrate handling scoping study, following public questions about the RFP process and borough staff explanation that the selection was based on qualifications rather than price.

Paul Taylor, who identified himself as a long-term resident, told the advisory body the RFP lacked public notice and proper scoring detail and argued omitting cost from evaluation leaves the municipality “in poor cost negotiating position.” Taylor pressed whether selection committee score sheets were preserved and whether an outside entity helped prepare the RFP or might have been allowed to bid.

Emily Deetsch, borough manager, told the board the borough used a qualifications-based approach consistent with its procurement code and recent practice. "RFPs, on the other hand, should be based solely on qualifications," Deetsch said, explaining the borough issued an addendum removing cost from the evaluation criteria and invited four specialized firms to propose. She said two firms submitted proposals and that the detailed anonymized scoring worksheets are retained in the packet; the borough will request a fee proposal from the top-ranked proposer and may negotiate or move to the next-ranked proposer if a satisfactory fee is not reached.

Board members who reviewed the proposals said both finalists were capable. Christian Resicich said KPFF’s submission appeared “a little more solid” and showed more recent local knowledge; others said Asenco/Osenco has broader experience in transporting material. Harbormaster O'Boyle described both proposals as strong and noted KPFF proposed municipal involvement on its team, which O'Boyle found notable.

Vice Mayor Deb Potter moved that the advisory board recommend the assembly approve the selection committee’s recommendation to award the scoping-study contract to KPFF; Christian Resicich seconded. The board approved the recommendation by voice vote. Chair LaVoy said both proposals and the recommendation would also be in the assembly packet for Thursday’s meeting, where the assembly will consider awarding the contract.

The discussion also touched on a related funding question: board members and staff said the Yukon government recently indicated it lacks budget capacity to advance the regional Marine Services Platform (MSP) project, and the borough is pursuing PIDP federal funds for an industrial dock as an alternative or complementary approach. Deetsch said the borough will adjust plans depending on which funding streams materialize.

Next steps: the advisory board’s recommendation is scheduled to be presented to the assembly on Thursday for final action; the borough will request and review a fee proposal from KPFF as part of the post-selection process.