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Council awards wastewater plant inspection contract to lower‑cost bidder after scoring concerns
Summary
After staff reported that none of four proposals fully complied with solicitation instructions, the council weighed technical scoring against cost and voted to award inspection services to Offeror B, which was about $90,000 less than the top-ranked Offeror C; councilmembers questioned procurement compliance and scoring transparency before voting.
On May 6 Grantsville City staff presented results of a solicitation for special inspection services on the new wastewater treatment plant. Finance Director Aspen Clegg and Public Works Director Christy Montierth told the council that four firms submitted proposals but none fully complied with the solicitation instructions; City staff evaluated the submissions on responsiveness, experience, project understanding, qualifications and cost.
Staff said Offeror C received the highest technical evaluation score and remained the highest scoring respondent after cost was factored in, but Offeror B’s proposal was approximately $90,000 lower and within less than one overall evaluation point of Offeror C. Councilmembers asked whether firms that failed to follow solicitation instructions could be trusted to manage inspection responsibilities. City Attorney Tysen Barker advised the council that the governing body retained discretion to award the contract based on what it determined was in the city’s best interest, provided council articulated its reasoning on the record.
After discussion about balancing technical qualifications and cost savings, Councilmember Butler moved to award the special inspection contract to Offeror B citing the substantial cost savings and minimal difference in evaluation points; the motion passed unanimously (Resolution 2026-33).
Staff said the selected firm will provide soils testing, compaction verification, concrete and welding inspections and construction oversight for the duration of the wastewater treatment plant project. Councilmembers requested clarity on evaluation criteria and documentation for the record.
