Local Bonded and Qualified Contractors Sought for over $4 Million City Projects
By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2016
Eagle Pass City Manager Hector Chavez presented an update report on the building of the new City of Eagle Pass Public Safety Complex to the Eagle Pass City Council during their special meeting held on Tuesday, March 22, 2016.
City Manager Hector Chavez presented information on the progress of the Public Safety Headquarters project during the discussion portion of agenda item No. 14 which called for the consideration and possible approval for the selection of several contractors and re-bids of other contractors for the Public Safety Headquarters as brought forth by D.S.A. Construction Management.
Chavez gave an overview of the progress that has occurred with the new joint police/firefighters safety facility and presented a list of bid contracts that were recommended for approval and also a list that were being sought to be re-bid.
During discussion, Chavez and the City Council noted the lack of local contractors bidding for the different contracts and work that has been advertised for this multi-million construction project in the community.
Chavez stated that the city had gone out for bids for work to be done at the Public Safety Headquarters and had received a good amount of bids from contractors but that only two local contractors had applied for any of the work advertised.
“We feel we didn’t have enough participation from the local vendors.” said Chavez.
Chavez explained that the amount to be awarded at present time to different vendors/contractors was $2,025,167 and that there was another $4,346,632 to be re-advertised which could be beneficial to the local contractors and economy.
Chavez stated that local vendor/participation is crucial for the local project for a variety of reasons such as lowering cost of construction and everything being done on the project.
“We request that the contracts that are going to be rebid , we do have quite a few local contractors that did not bid and we need to make sure that they hopefully do bid and that would bring the costs down . Most of the contractors that have bid are from away and that we feel increases the pricing.” said Chavez.
Chavez explained that by going out and rebidding, it would give the city an opportunity to lower the price on some of the work to be done at the Public Safety Headquarters.
“What we’re recommending that what is presented in bids be accepted , subject to value engineering to be performed.” added Chavez.
City Council and Chavez further discussed the item and the potential causes of lack of participation from local vendors/contractors.
“ The bids went on to be put out in public purchase that went out on the newspaper. We talked to local contractors and all of them said , well we just didn’t know.” said Chavez. Most local contractors are not accustomed to reading a local bilingual newspaper where the City of Eagle Pass places its advertising.
Chavez emphasized that many of the local contractors stated that they just weren’t aware that the city was going out for bids in regards to the building of the new Public Safety Headquarters.
Chavez stated that he is sure that their are many local contractors that are capable of doing some of the work at the public safety headquarters such as electrical, drywall, painting and other jobs that are to be bid out and that local participation is encouraged and welcomed.
City Councilwoman Yolanda Ramon stated that it was important to be able to give local adequate , bonded/ qualified local contractors the opportunity, if and when they are willing to participate in the bidding process as required, to participate and be awarded parts of the multi-million construction project.
“ It’s just very sad that a lot of these jobs can be taken locally but for whatever reason, they’re not doing that. We cannot baby everyone and make them do it, but it’s just sad.” said Ramon.
Chavez added that they know that many local contractors have the capacity to do the work being sought but for different reasons have not shown interest or are not well informed of those projects.
The Eagle Pass and Maverick County economy stands to benefit as taxpayers monies gets to stay in the community and local citizens can get employment, benefiting the entire community and local economy.
Eagle Pass City Council approved the bids on some of the contract work subject to negotiations and also moved to resubmit other contract work into the re-bidding process.
Bids Proposals for the new project will be received until 5:00pm on April 19, 2016 at DSA’s office and at the City of Eagle Pass. Proposals will be opened and read publicly at 1:00pm on April 20, 2016 at the Existing Project Site, 489 S. Monroe St., Eagle Pass, TX 78852.
Sealed Proposals shall be addressed to: City of Eagle Pass, Suzanne Shea, Purchasing Agent, 100 S. Monroe St., Eagle Pass, TX 78852. All submitted proposals shall clearly identify RFP 2016-016 and the category of work on the front of the enclosure.
If you are interested in further information on the bids to be advertised for work to be done at the city of Eagle Pass Public Safety Headquarters you can contact Kery Williams, Project Manager, D.S.A., Inc. Construction Management, 207 N. Ridgeway, PO Box 702, Cleburne, TX 76033, Phone 817/645-8864, Fax 817/645-2097, email kery@dsamgt.com.
