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Steel Brook Greenway near Main Street is 25% complete; contractor bid and procurement rules complicate next phase
Summary
Watertown staff reported Steel Brook Greenway is roughly 25% complete; the low federal bid came in $500,000 under estimate and a proposed adjacent phase has a contractor proposal well under the grant estimate, but state/federal procurement rules (DEP/DECD/CHRO) will require a formal bid process.
Jerry Lukowski, Watertown public works director, told the committee Steel Brook Greenway construction is proceeding and that the contractor Kelowna is mobilized and ahead of schedule on Phase 1/2 subbase, culverts and bridge work.
"We're probably about 25% complete," Lukowski said, and he noted the federal construction estimate for that contract was $2.4 million while Kelowna bid $1.9 million.
Lukowski said an adjoining Phase 3 scope carries roughly $300,000 in DECD/DEP funding estimates but that the contractor proposed to perform the work for about $200,000 based on held unit prices. He asked whether NVCOG or state staff could help avoid a second solicitation so the already-mobilized contractor could proceed.
Kim Bradley from finance noted program constraints and oversight requirements. "Urban Act is actually managed by our finance division... There are CHRO requirements associated with this, so it's construction in particular," she said, adding that federal and state rules typically require a formal solicitation for construction work.
NVCOG staff and members agreed the legal and program requirements (DEP/DECD/CHRO) mean the town will likely need to issue a separate solicitation for the Phase 3 work, despite the contractor's favorable pricing; Kelowna's mobilization and low unit prices reduce risk but do not remove procurement obligations.
Next steps: Watertown will proceed to public hearing and formal bid solicitation for the remaining section; NVCOG offered to share prequalification and selection materials to help expedite procurement.
