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Board of Estimates approves $23.99 million Lake Montebello dredging contract over protest
Summary
Baltimore City’s Board of Estimates approved a $23,989,093.97 award to American Process Group LLC for Lake Montebello dredging despite a protest from Mobile Dredging and Video Pipe Inc.; Department of Public Works officials said a re-review found bidders met MBE/WBE goals and the award follows the lowest-bidder standard.
Baltimore City’s Board of Estimates on July 15 approved SB2612356, awarding a $23,989,093.97 contract to American Process Group LLC for dredging at Lake Montebello and Montebello Washwater Lake, despite a formal protest from Mobile Dredging and Video Pipe Incorporated.
Alan Robinson, deputy director for the Department of Public Works, introduced the item and turned the presentation over to Blake Souka, the department’s deputy chief engineer, who said three bids were received and that two of the higher bids had been initially flagged as noncompliant with MBE/WBE participation goals. "We collaboratively reviewed all of the bids with the SMBAD office," Souka said. "After a second evaluation, we deemed that all three bidders were compliant with their SMBAD goals. ... Our decision is strictly based on lowest bid."
Souka said the original protest stemmed from a disagreement about compliance determinations, and that the department corrected the record after the re-review. The protester’s specific grounds were recorded on the agenda by the clerk; Mobile Dredging and Video Pipe Incorporated is listed as having filed the protest.
Board members asked about safety and nearby schools. The presiding officer raised proximity to an elementary school in Mervo and asked whether families had been notified; Souka replied that the department will continue community engagement during the design phase, has communicated with local council members, and has designed the project to keep the walking loop open for the duration of construction.
A motion to approve the award was made, seconded and approved by voice vote; the presiding officer declared the item approved and the non-routine item closed. The clerk’s opening statement and the meeting record note the protest and the department’s updated compliance finding.
The dredging contract will proceed with the awarded vendor; the meeting record does not include a detailed roll-call vote tally or the mover/second by name for the motion. Any further administrative steps, contract execution, or appeals would follow the city’s procurement and protest procedures.
