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Point Bridge rehabilitation bids come in about 22% over city estimate; staff recommends DBE clearance before award
Summary
City staff reported the low compliant bid for the 2026 Point Bridge rehabilitation (SP 119113008) was about $2.75 million, roughly $494,000 (22%) above the city's $2.26 million estimate. Staff said East Grand Forks' share would be about $1,499,237 and that awarding the contract requires outstanding Office of Civil Rights/DBE documentation.
Lede: City staff told the East Grand Forks City Council at its May 12 work session that the low compliant bid for the Point Bridge rehabilitation project came in substantially above the city's estimate.
Nut graf: Steve Emory, who presented the bid tabulation, said three bids were opened and one was not read because it lacked required documentation. Emory said federal, state and North Dakota DOT funding pieces reduce the city's net exposure, but the low compliant bid—about $2.75 million—exceeds the city's $2.26 million estimate by roughly $494,000, or 22 percent.
Body: "The low bid came in at about 2.75 million," Emory said, and he told council he had broken out cost shares showing East Grand Forks' share at about $1,499,237 and Grand Forks' share at about $1,259,363. Emory noted that certain approach work on the East Grand Forks side and some alternates (including an alternate pedestrian route) affect how costs are allocated between the two cities.
Emory outlined the anticipated funding mix: federal funding allocated to East Grand Forks (about $1,080,000 as discussed), updated state aid construction estimates tied to the as-bid costs, and a North Dakota DOT contribution the staff estimated around $920,000. Emory said the city's remaining state-aid construction balance would still support near-term projects but that the bid variance changes the immediate funding picture.
Staff advised caution before awarding the contract. Emory said one bidder failed to provide two required documents and that the low bidder must provide Office of Civil Rights documentation verifying DBE compliance within five business days; that clearance is necessary before the council can make a contract award. Emory also said he had asked the apparent low bidder for references and a list of recent bridge projects to support due diligence.
Ending: Council did not vote at the work session; staff said it would await DBE documentation and reference checks before placing a recommended award on a future council agenda.
