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Council advances engineering contract for airport work amid public requests for procurement records
Summary
The council presented and moved forward on a professional-services contract with RCL (Richard C. Lambert) to support airport engineering, grant work and project oversight; public commenters pressed for bid documents, raised procurement transparency concerns and reported fuel-system equipment purchased but not put into service.
The Bogalusa City Council heard from Richard Lambert of Richard C. Lambert (RCL), the engineering firm recommended through an earlier request-for-qualifications process, about a proposed professional-services agreement to provide design, grant-application support and construction oversight for airport improvements.
Lambert described an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract that would let the city assign airport-related tasks at the council's direction, including airfield lighting, taxiway and runway rehabilitation, fuel-system work and hanger development. He said the firm would not perform construction but would prepare design documents, cost estimates and assist in procurement as authorized by the city.
During public comment residents and airport stakeholders pressed the council for transparency: speakers said invoices show fuel-system components were purchased and installed but that the equipment has not been placed into service. Multiple commenters asked to see bid documents and questioned why some past work was done without apparent bid records.
The public asked whether city employees could manage airport operations rather than contracting services; the airport manager present explained that professional firms are often used for licensed engineering work and to comply with FAA standards and insurance requirements. Council members asked staff to provide procurement packets, bid tabulations and the RFQ scoring that led to RCL's selection to satisfy transparency concerns.
Council proceeded with the contract item after public comment and asked that future procurement materials be included in packets and posted online so members and residents can review them ahead of votes.
