Caribou council awards $2.132 million contract for new fire department to Buildings Etcetera

The Caribou City Council voted on June 1 to award the construction contract for the new Caribou Fire Department building to Buildings Etcetera, the low qualified bidder, after a staff report on competitive bids opened May 14.

A city staff member told the council that three qualified bidders submitted proposals at a May 14 bid opening: Bowman Contractors, Buildings Etcetera of Holton, and P and M of Presque Isle. The staff member said Buildings Etcetera submitted the lowest qualified bid at $2,132,000; P and M’s bid was roughly $2,139,000 — approximately $6,000 higher. Staff reviewed schedule values and subcontractor lists and recommended awarding the contract to Buildings Etcetera. The recommendation also noted an alternate that would replace flooring throughout the Lions Club area and add a heat pump there.

"My recommendation is for the city to enter into a contract with them for the construction project," the staff member told the council.

A councilor moved to recommend the award to Buildings Etcetera and the motion was seconded. During roll call the council recorded unanimous ayes; the mayor presided and also voted in the affirmative. The motion carried.

Staff did not announce at the meeting the intended source(s) of construction funding or the construction schedule; those details were not specified and will be addressed in subsequent procurement and contracting steps. The city will proceed with contract negotiations and administrative steps needed to finalize the award.