Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Contracts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Staff warns DOT contract language could bind town to bids above the estimate
Summary
Town staff explained DOT contracts list an estimated betterment cost ($321,000) and that the town may lack final approval of final bids, exposing the town to cost increases; staff said DOT may remit or redesign if bids exceed estimates by over 10%, but no guarantee was made.
Staff member told the board that the $321,000 figure for the water betterment is an estimate required by DOT and that the town does not get final approval of the overall DOT bid, because a betterment is treated as part of a larger DOT project. "I asked if we could have a final approval, and, unfortunately, they explained to me that that's not possible because betterments are really part of a larger project," Staff member said.
Staff also explained the town would be reimbursing the county $385,000 (ARPA funds) for its share of work and reiterated that DOT’s contract language can leave the town obligated if the bid comes in higher than the estimate. Staff said DOT policy often either remits if a final bid exceeds an estimate by more than about 10% or redesigns the project, but staff did not secure a contractual guarantee of that remedy.
