If the proposed numbers are an indication, it appears the firms bidding to do the architectural and engineering work on Bridgeport’s Indoor Recreation Complex were all on the same playing field – as intended.

 

On Tuesday afternoon, members of Bridgeport’s Sports Recreation Complex Committee (SRCC), were on hand to open bids for the multi-million dollar project. Bridgeport Mayor Robert “Bob” Greer opened up the bids of the four finalists and read their fees for the A&E work aloud.

 

Prior to the bid opening, the SRCC met with each firm and went over the scope. They also answered all questions during individual meetings with the four firms and answered submitted questions in the days after the meeting; submitting responses to the questions to all the firms that participated in the hope that everyone would have the same information.

 

“We wanted it to be apples to apples,” said Greer.

 

The numbers show that may have been the case.  The bids were $1.999 million for Omni & Associates of Fairmont; $1.994 million for Populous Inc., of Pittsburgh; $2.063 millions for WTW Architects out of Pittsburgh; and $1.725 million for Moody Noolan out of Columbus.

 

“The important thing here is that they’re all within a close range,” said Greer, who was serving as the active chairman of the committee during the bid opening. “I think it speaks to the bid specifications that everyone was bidding, as mentioned, on the same apple. That’s a good sign.”

 

The city was anticipating A&E fees to be anywhere from the low end of 10 percent to up to 18 percent, Greer said. He said they actually came in lower than that considering what he anticipates the building to cost.

 

“The numbers appear to be much lower than that and I’m pleased with that … I would think ($20 million for the complex) would be on the low,” said Greer when asked about what he thought a final cost could be. “I’ll be shocked if this comes in under $25 (million) personally.”

 

There was little discussion about the bids once they were opened shortly after the 2 p.m. deadline in which they were due. The committee, however, plans on meeting at 9:30 a.m. Friday to discuss the proposals. There is no guarantee a decision will be made at that time.

 

Most cities cannot use price as a factor in any capacity when determining A&E services, which is known as the 5G rule. Bridgeport, however, does allow it to be a factor for consideration as part of Home Rule. That doesn’t mean the low bid will win the contract for the work, but that the city can use the cost as one of the criteria when making their final decision.

 

“Just a reminder that the fee alone is not the be all, end all decision (for choosing a firm) under our current ordinances as it relates to 5G,” said Greer.

 

The project is being funded with a 1 percent sales tax enacted by the city, also as part of Home Rule. The tax went into place on July 1 of 2016. The first two months of revenue are in with a total of $572,160.13. The city will need more than a year of revenue records from the sales tax to present to financial institutions to secure the funding needed for the multi-million dollar project. There has been no announcement on when ground will be broken for the project, but there are still multiple hurdles that could easily stretch into 2018 that must first be cleared.

 

The SRCC consists of City Clerk Andrea Kerr, City Manager Kim Haws, Assistant City Manager Jimmy Smith, Community Development Director Randy Spellman, Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton, Deputy P&R Director Joe Shuttleworth, Greer and Council members Jeff Smell and Diana Marra

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Mayor Robert "Bob" Greer opening bids, while SRCC member Joe Shuttleworth is shown below.