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Board rejects noncompliant low bidder and directs negotiation with second bidder on harbor electrical platform
Summary
Staff recommended rejecting the apparent low bidder for the Small Craft Harbor electrical platform because required non-resident contracting documentation was missing; the board approved negotiating with the second-lowest bidder (JE Borys Inc.) and proceeding to final award steps consistent with counsel advice.
City engineering reported that the apparent low bidder for the Long Beach Small Craft Harbor electrical platform failed to include required non-resident contracting documentation under Mississippi law. Staff said the low bid was therefore legally disqualifying and recommended rejecting that bid and moving to the next responsive bidder. The board authorized staff to negotiate with the second-low bidder, JE Borys Inc., and to return final award documents after negotiations and legal review.
Engineers noted the low bidder was at roughly $2.61 million while the second bidder was approximately $2.09 million, a difference of about $400,000; counsel emphasized that state law could disqualify the low bid and that funders could later question an unlawful award. The board approved negotiations and the course of action without reversing the disqualification.
