Board approves $1.37 million asphalt paving contract with single bidder American Asphalt

The Board of Public Works voted May 5 to award the 2026 asphalt paving contract to American Asphalt after staff reported the company was the lone bidder.

Staff said bids for the 2026 asphalt paving program opened April 28 and that American Asphalt submitted the only bid, for a total of $1,370,899.51. Staff said that total falls within the 2026 paving program budget of $2,140,000 and noted the bid would fund about 3.2 miles of repaving, including carryover projects from 2025.

“Only 1 bid was received, that being from American Asphalt,” the presenter said. Staff explained that unit prices were roughly 10% higher than the previous year and that about half of the program budget is estimated to be the cost of asphalt itself. The presenter also said funds carried forward from prior projects would help cover some items.

Board members asked why only one bid was received. One member asked whether market structure or the workload explains limited response; another asked whether oil price volatility and short bid-hold windows could be factors. A board member remarked during discussion, “American Asphalt bought all the other companies out,” a claim offered without supporting evidence in the meeting record.

After discussion a board member moved to approve the award and authorize contract execution; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The presenter said the contract would cover pulverize-and-replace streets, mill-and-overlay streets, and other asphalt overlay work included in the bid.

The approval authorizes staff to execute a contract within budgeted limits; specific contract terms and a signed contract were not recorded on the transcript. Board members did not record a roll-call vote count in the meeting record.