Board rejects bids for utility-cut repaving contract after engineering estimate concerns; low bidder objects

The Board of Estimates agreed to Department of Public Works' request to reject all bids for contract WC1453 (repaving utility cuts and sidewalk restoration), citing bids higher than the engineer's estimate and concerns about pricing.

Deputy Director Alan Robinson explained the two active bidders submitted prices above the department's engineering estimate and DPW wants to re-evaluate scope and costs before re-bidding. "The pricing was too high," Robinson said, and DPW recommended rejecting the bids to refine the scope.

Patrick Mahoney of Monumental Paving, the low bidder at $9,960,000, told the board his company's bid fell within the advertised engineer estimate range and argued it was market-tested and responsive. "On the single largest item for the contract, our price is below anything the city has seen in over a year," Mahoney said. He cautioned that rejecting a responsive urgent-need contract risks a gap in coverage that could harm motoring public safety.

The comptroller and other board members asked clarifying questions about whether the reason listed should specify that the bids exceeded the engineer's estimate versus unbalanced bids; DPW staff acknowledged internal follow-up would clarify the record. The board voted to approve DPW's recommendation to reject all bids and to re-solicit after further scope review.