40 firms bid on city’s storm cleanup contracts

A two-hour bid opening in the basement of the Busch Municipal Building on Monday drew a standing room-only crowd while city purchasing officials recited the bids, which ranged from $15 million to more than $50 million.

The city plans to award two separate contracts for removal of vegetative debris left behind by Springfield’s worst ice storm on record Jan. 12–14. Public Works will award a contract for right-of-way cleanup, and Springfield-Greene County Parks will award one for debris removal within the parks system, said city purchasing agent Jim Tillman.

Tillman said his staff is still considering all bids but is focusing on a group of apparent low bids between $15 million to $20 million.

The bid price, however, is only one of several factors being considered, Tillman said, noting that references, equipment and work history are subject to review.

“You could be a low bidder and not be capable of doing the project,” he said.

Tillman said he hopes to recommend the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder for each contract as soon as possible.

“We have a lot of good qualified contractors,” he said. “We were able to get some good competition. … I’m very pleased with the results.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has indicated it will reimburse the city for 75 percent the debris removal costs, said city spokeswoman Louise Whall.[[In-content Ad]]