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Hickman tables decision on booster‑pump bids after low bid far exceeds engineer estimate
Summary
Councilors paused action on the Hickman booster‑pump station after bids came in well above the engineer’s estimate; Vancirk Brothers submitted the low bid at 1,242,559, and council asked that an Olsson engineering representative appear at the Aug. 26 meeting before awarding the project.
The Hickman City Council on a routine Aug. meeting tabled consideration of bids for a proposed booster‑pump station after members said they needed answers from the city’s engineering consultant about a large gap between the engineer’s estimate and contractors’ bids.
The Mayor reported that four firms submitted bids and that “Vancirk Brothers had the low bid of 1,242,559,” then asked staff to provide more detail. Kelly, a city staff member who presented project figures to the council, said the engineers’ estimate had been $854,000 and confirmed the low bid and other bids in the packet.
The difference between the estimate and the low bid prompted several councilors to ask why the gap was so large and to request an Olsson representative be present to explain line‑item and pump‑package costs. Councilors and staff discussed likely reasons for the discrepancy — higher current prices for labor and materials, pump package pricing and the possibility of change orders when crews start excavation — and the budget implications for the city.
City staff noted roughly $700,000 of the project is budgeted in the current fiscal year and that starting the contract earlier could allow equipment purchases to be invoiced in this fiscal year while the remainder of work spans into the next budget year. Staff also said the recommended completion date from the low bidder would be July of next year.
Rather than award the contract, the council voted to table the item to its Aug. 26 meeting and attach a requirement that an Olsson representative attend to answer questions about the engineer’s estimate and the bid breakdown. The motion to table was made by Mr. Duda and seconded; roll call was taken and the motion carried.
Next steps: staff will ask Olsson to send a representative to the Aug. 26 meeting, and the booster‑pump bid will return to the agenda then for further consideration.
