City Council to consider cost increase in airport fence

Friday, November 18, 2011

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider approval of a change order that will add another $7,000 to the cost of the wildlife fence to be constructed at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport, Monday evening, 7:30 p.m., during their regularly scheduled meeting at Memorial Auditorium.

The additional expense brings the project total to $543,456, with expense to the city at more than $26,000.

The additional expenditure has been proposed by the contractor and recommended for approval by city staff, who indicated it is intended to add additional reinforcing at the fence corners and line braces to avoid future maintenance issues with the fence.

The original bid by the contractor, Ninemire Fence Construction, Inc., was already $7,000 higher than the only other bid received pertaining to the project.

American Fence was actually the lower bidder during the process, however their bid was recommended for disqualification by city staff who determined they did not submit sufficient documentation that illustrated a demonstration of "good faith efforts in obtaining participation by certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms."

The DBE certification is part of the Department of Transportations efforts to ensure nondiscrimination in the awarding of DOT-assisted contracts. According to the DOT website, a business owner is considered disadvantaged if they are a woman, a member of a minority group or if they have established a social or economic disadvantage. Eligibility criteria is also made on a case-by-case basis.

Other items on the consent and regular agenda:

* A $118,500 bid from Snell Services Inc. of North Platte, to replace the McCook library boiler and chiller, will also be considered during the meeting. City staff has indicated the current library boiler is inefficient and unreliable and $64,400 in grant funds have been obtained to aid in funding the project.

* McCook Christian Church has requested to close West. Fourth Street, between B Street and C Street, on Dec. 17, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., for their "Night in Bethlehem" event.

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  • The DBE certification is part of the Department of Transportations efforts to ensure nondiscrimination in the awarding of DOT-assisted contracts. According to the DOT website, a business owner is considered disadvantaged if they are a woman, a member of a minority group or if they have established a social or economic disadvantage. Eligibility criteria is also made on a case-by-case basis.

    So the above is the requirement to work for our tax dollars. How about QUALIFIED to do the work and at the cost you bid. Now we are paying an extra $14k for this fence!!

    -- Posted by Ed on Sat, Nov 19, 2011, at 2:52 AM
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