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Sullivan County rejects sole high Linde bid for Eagles Mere curb‑cuts; approves CDBG policy updates
Summary
Commissioners moved to reject a sole engineering bid of $346,148 for the Eagles Mere Curb Cuts Phase I project, citing unusually high line items and DCED cost‑reasonableness concerns; the board also approved updated CDBG Financial Management and Procurement policies.
The Sullivan County Board of Commissioners moved on June 2 to reject a sole engineering bid of $346,148 submitted by Linde Corporation for the Eagles Mere Curb Cuts Project — Phase I, saying several line items were substantially higher than expected and that the county’s engineer could not confidently certify cost‑reasonableness for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project when only one bid was received.
Commissioner Brian Hoffman, who made the motion, said DCED rules require a certification of cost‑reasonableness for sole bids on CDBG projects and that the county lacks the firm basis to provide that certification for the Linde proposal. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Darlene Fenton. The transcript does not record a subsequent formal vote on the rejection.
The bid opening packet included several other engineering proposals: Barry Isett & Associates ($45,062.25), Bassett Engineering ($34,750.00), JHA Companies ($46,040.00) and Livic Civil, LLC ($35,000.00). County staff opened sealed bids during the meeting and presented lump‑sum and additional meeting fees for review.
At the same meeting the commissioners unanimously approved updates to the county’s CDBG program policies: an updated Financial Management Plan and the CDBG/Home Program Procurement Policy. Commissioner Fenton moved the policy updates, Commissioner Hoffman seconded, and the motion was recorded as unanimously approved.
Why this matters: CDBG projects are subject to state oversight and cost‑reasonableness checks when there is limited bidding competition; rejecting a sole high bid can preserve grant eligibility and protect public funds, but it may delay project timelines while the county solicits a new procurement or seeks cost justification.
