Board of Contract and Supply opens bids for youth services, EV infrastructure and lead-pipe work; approves routine items

The Board of Contract and Supply met Feb. 9, 2026, elected a chair for the session and opened competitive bids for multiple city contracts, including 13 bids for the Providence for Youth 2026 program, electric-vehicle infrastructure work and an accelerated lead service-line replacement contract.

At the start of the meeting the presiding director moved to be elected chairperson for the session; the motion was seconded and adopted, and Deputy City Solicitor Michael Kissi was noted as joining the meeting.

In Section B — opening of bids — the clerk read bids into the record for the Providence for Youth 2026 solicitation and announced 13 responses from nonprofit and community organizations. Bidders and amounts recorded in the meeting included (as read into the record): Harry the Cross Outreach Ministries ($65,000); Refugee Dream Center ($93,529.72); Providence Public Schools Career [Center] (transcribed $138,516); Center for Dynamic Learning ($54,000); We Venture Center ($28,631); Inspiring Minds ($47,792); College Missions ($144,000); Comprehensive Community Action ($60,636); Southside Community Land Trust ($53,912.74); an entity listed as “220” ($99,552); Rhode Island for Community and Justice ($84,428.57); GUILDS for Rhode Island’s Future ($67,000); and Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence ($102,829.60). The board did not debate award decisions at the meeting; the opened bids were referred for clerical processing.

The office of sustainability presented competing bids for electric-vehicle (EV) infrastructure at a city location. Firms noted in the record included Pava LLC d/b/a Graffiti Energy (approximately $109,000), BNK Electric (approximately $42,650), Community Home Improvement of Providence (approximately $79,549) and several other firms; meeting staff clarified that a small number of submitted bids had initially been filed under the wrong agenda item and corrected the record.

The Water Supply Board’s accelerated lead service-line replacement program attracted unit-price bids, with Boil and Bertie Construction and Carrera Construction Company among the firms with bids read into the record; the clerk noted the submissions were unit-price format. A Department of Public Works procurement for snow-and-ice suppliers drew no bids and will remain on the agenda.

After opening and recording bids, a director moved — and Director Elaine Richards seconded — that the packet of opened bids be referred to the City Clerk’s office for processing; that motion carried. The board then approved the advertising list in Section C along with the advertising for the mechanical/electrical/plumbing services item; that motion also passed.

Treasurer Shamari Husband moved to approve items one through 16 in Section A by roll call; Director Elaine Richards seconded. The clerk conducted the roll call and the clerk announced the motion carried and the matters were approved. The board subsequently approved the Jan. 27 minutes (moved by Director Joseph Depina, seconded by Director Elaine Richards) and adjourned.

The meeting record reflects the bids opened and the board’s procedural approvals; no contract awards were announced at the session. The opened bids will be processed by the City Clerk and returned to the Board of Contract and Supply or the appropriate awarding authority for review and any subsequent action.