By Ben Barkley
SDN Managing Editor
The Development Corporation of Snyder (DCOS) board of directors tabled action on bids received for moving two dirt mounds at the Snyder Rail Park.
During today’s meeting, the board agreed it did not feel comfortable accepting any of the nine bids after hearing from one of the bidders and Executive Director Bill Lavers. Cole Herring, of Herring Services, said the bid process was “loosey goosey.”
“The bid process was loose as far as the integrity of the bid,” Herring said.
Lavers said the specifications were changed at least three times by engineers at Parkhill, Smith and Cooper, but no addendums were made to the bid process. Herring said that addendums should have been made each time the plans changed.
Lavers said a majority of the contractors agreed to bid on the changes, but Herring’s bid was submitted after the final change.
“Until you are comfortable with the plans, don’t put it out for bid,” Herring told the board.
Lavers admitted it was not “a smooth process,” but said everyone, at the end, had the same set of plans.
“I don’t think they bid on the same thing,” City Manager Merle Taylor said. Later in the discussion, board member Melissa Petty said she agreed with Taylor.
The low bid came from Southwest, the same New Mexico-based company that worked on the rail park. Herring asked if the company was local, and after learning it was based in New Mexico, he questioned the DCOS using an out-of-state firm.
“I thought the DCOS was here to stimulate the local economy.” he said. “I don’t think you should award a bid to someone out-of-state.”
Lavers said he agreed that using a local firm would be ideal, but an out-of-town firm will also help the economy because workers will have to stay in hotels and eat at local restaurants.
“But when the local bids are significantly higher, you have to look at all options,” he said.
Southwest’s bid was $70,536 while the highest bid came from WSI at $316,194. Other bids submitted were E.D. Walton Construction, $135,750; Cody Wall, $86,687; Tommy DeLoera, $124,583; Cliff Price, $119,398; Grimmett Brothers, $178,924; KK, which is a bid involving Herring’s company, $109,670; and Barrera Construction, $219,500.
Herring said taking the low bid is not always the best route. Taylor reminded the board that state bid law requires the lowest bid be accepted unless something stood out that prevented the board from accepting it.
Board member Mark Williamson asked the board members if they understood what was needed to be done with the dirt mounds. Board members agreed that the project was confusing and did not feel comfortable awarding a bid.
“What are we needing done?” Williamson asked.
He suggested the possibility of hiring a construction manager to oversee the project to work with the engineering firm and contractor. He said that worked well when West Texas State Bank renovated the former Cogdell Family Clinic.
“I am lost. I would hate to vote on a project when being lost,” he said.
Lavers said most of the confusion came when engineers finally arrived on the site to look at the two dirt mounds. Once they looked at the site, plans had to be changed, he said.
Herring said the more dirt is moved, more money is spent.
“It is best to move it one time,” he said.
Lavers said there is one oilfield-related prospect looking to buy the land. Williamson and board chairman Shawn Ragland asked Lavers to approach the prospect with the proposal to take off a certain amount of the asking price and for the company to do the dirt work.
He asked for permission to look to hire another engineering firm to work on plans and help with the bid process if the prospect did not agree to the proposal.
“I don’t have confidence in them,” Lavers said of Parkhill, Smith and Cooper, adding that several members of the firm that worked on the original rail park are no longer employed.
Ragland said the work needs to be done.
“Everybody wants to feel comfortable with how it is being done,” he said.