Granite Construction gets Lucky Nugget Phase 2 contract after lower bidder lacks certificate

The Board accepted staff’s recommendation to award the Lucky Nugget Phase 2 construction contract to Granite Construction after determining the lowest bidder, Element Construction, did not hold the state preferential-bidder affidavit required for this project. Dennis Price summarized prior rounds of bidding — earlier bids posted near $2.7 million were rejected; recent bids were lower with Element submitting "the lowest bid was element construction with a base bid of just under 2,000,000" before staff considered bidder certification and past county experience with Granite.

Commissioners noted that Granite was within 5% of the low bid and had the certificate, creating grounds to recommend Granite to avoid a prolonged protest process. The motion to accept Granite’s bid passed on a voice vote. Staff flagged a possible protest from Element Construction if they pursue the affidavit process or challenge the award.