Committee recommends rejecting bids for Squalicum stormwater retrofit after bid irregularities

The Bellingham City Council Public Works and Natural Resources Committee voted to recommend rejecting all bids for Item 24872, the Squalicum Water Quality Retrofit Phase 2 project, after staff said an irregularity in the city's administration of the bid process left officials unable to determine the low bidder.

Council Member Anderson, who chaired the committee in Council Member Lilliquis’s absence, said the city publicly opened six bids on 03/04/2026 and "due to irregularity in the city's administration of the bid process, it is not possible to determine the low bidder." The project would install BioPods to provide enhanced stormwater treatment aimed at improving water quality in Little Squalicum Creek in the Birchwood neighborhood.

Freeman Anthony, engineering manager for Public Works, explained the problem: bid alternates created complexity and "we had some language in the bid spec that wasn't as flexible as we would have liked," which made it difficult to establish a clear low bidder. Anthony said staff are working with the city attorney to revise specifications to give the city more flexibility and precision before rebidding the work.

The committee took a voice vote to recommend rejection of the bids. Council Member Hamill voted "aye," and Council Member Anderson also voted "aye." No opposition was recorded in the committee discussion; the transcript did not record a formal mover or seconder for the committee recommendation. Anderson said he would bring the recommendation forward to the full City Council that evening for consideration.

If approved by the full council, staff will issue a new solicitation with revised specifications and legal review to address the administrative irregularity. The committee returned control to Council President Stone and took a brief break after the vote.