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Newton County awards GLO CDBG shelter contract; commissioners to appeal GLO decision on kitchen funding
Summary
Newton County commissioners voted to award the base construction contract and selected alternates for a GLO CDBG community shelter to the lowest compliant bidder; the court discussed a grant-office (GLO) determination that commercial kitchen equipment is not grant-eligible and directed staff to seek reconsideration.
Newton County Commissioners Court approved awarding the base construction contract with selected alternates for a community shelter project under GLO CDBG contract number 24-065-03, accepting the lowest compliant bid as recommended by county staff.
A county presenter reviewed six bids and recommended the award to Construction Managers of Southeast Texas as the lowest compliant bidder on the base scope and the selected alternates (concrete paving, storm shutters, security and commercial kitchen equipment). The recommended total for the base contract plus the chosen alternates was quoted at approximately $9,164,854. Commissioners reviewed bid tabulations, raised concerns about an apparent math error in a bidder’s alternate pricing and discussed the importance of awarding the project consistent with state procurement rules for public-funded projects.
Presenters said the GLO (General Land Office) sent a letter indicating the grant would not pay for the commercial kitchen equipment line (identified in the bid at $297,616). Staff recommended awarding the contract as recommended and simultaneously pursuing a reconsideration or appeal to GLO because the staff believes the equipment has historically been included in similar projects. Commissioners directed grants and public-works staff to seek clarification from GLO; if GLO maintains the exclusion and the county lacks funds, the court may remove the equipment via change order or purchase it separately.
Commissioners emphasized the need to follow the requirement to award to the lowest compliant bidder while also protecting county taxpayers from unnecessary cost; multiple commissioners said they favored the staff recommendation based on prior experience with the recommended contractor. A motion to accept the staff’s recommendation was made by Commissioner Hopson, seconded by Commissioner Benson, and the court called for a vote. The transcript records the motion, second and approval; individual roll-call tallies are not specified in the record.
County staff listed follow-up tasks including formal award letters, pursuing GLO reconsideration about kitchen-equipment funding, and preparing change-order options if the county must fund equipment separately.
