Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Contracting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wasco County approves design-build exemption for Fort Dalles Museum vehicle building replacement
Summary
Commissioners adopted findings and authorized a design-build solicitation, citing technical and historic-preservation complexity and donor funding that requires a two-phase off-ramp to protect county finances.
Wasco County’s Board of Commissioners on April 15 voted to adopt findings allowing an exemption from competitive bidding and to solicit a design‑build contract for the Fort Dalles Museum vehicle building replacement.
Administrative Officer Tyler Stone and County Counsel Kristen Campbell told the Board the existing 1964 vehicle shed needs replacement with a new specialized building that must meet historic preservation and archaeological oversight requirements. They said the design‑build approach reduces the risk of “design-gap” liability and supports a single engineer of record to manage integration of structural and preservation needs.
Campbell said the project is funded by a private donation, and the recommended contract will include a two‑phase structure with a Phase 1 design/preconstruction stage and a Phase 2 construction stage; that “off‑ramp” allows the County to halt the project if construction estimates exceed the donor’s available budget. After a public hearing with no testimony, the Board adopted Resolution 26‑006 authorizing a best‑value design‑build solicitation.
Ending: The County will advertise a design‑build RFP statewide, require proposers to serve as engineer of record for final engineered designs and return to the Board with contract award recommendations.
