Council rejects single bid for Wells 7 and 11 after arithmetic discrepancies; directs staff to negotiate

Lemoore city staff and consultant QK asked the council to reject the sole bid received for completion of Wells 7 and 11 after an internal review found numerical discrepancies. Nea Mesquin of QK told the council that the bidder’s written proposal totaled $3,265,596 but that, when corrected according to bid-form wording, the submission produced a total near $9.4 million.

That disparity left staff recommending rejection of the single bid and authorizing staff to negotiate directly with qualified contractors under California public-contracting rules. "Basing on the wording, the total is $9.4 million. So that's why tonight we're recommending the rejection of the one bid," Mesquin said. Staff asked council to direct staff to negotiate and return with a recommendation.

Councilors repeatedly asked where completion funding would come from. Staff said the project had some budgeted funds but not $9.4 million; they noted potential proceeds from ongoing litigation as one possible source but did not guarantee those funds. Staff emphasized the wells were incomplete after prior work was halted and that the project must be completed to meet state treatment mandates.

The council unanimously approved the staff motions to 1) reject all bids received for completion of Wells 7 and 11, 2) authorize staff to negotiate with qualified contractors, and 3) direct staff to report back with negotiation outcomes and recommendations for Council approval.

No contract or final award was approved at the meeting; any negotiated agreement would need a future council vote.