The Kenai City Council passed an ordinance increasing estimated revenues and appropriations in the general fund and municipal roadway improvement capital project funds, awarding a construction contract, and authorizing the issuance of a purchase order for the 2021 Bryson Avenue Bluff Erosion Repair Project.
An invitation for bids was released on July 28, 2021 with bids due on August 19. The project is intended to repair damages to the bluff caused by failing storm water discharge piping, work includes restoration of the affected bluff area as well as replacement of storm water infrastructure.
Councilman Henry Knackstedt moved to amend the ordinance:
“Within the third whereas, replace $15,000 in contingency with $45,000 in contingency. Within the sixth whereas, replace totals $347,275 with $377,275. Within section one, replace all text with ‘The city manager is authorized to execute a construction contract in the amount of $309,775 with Foster’s Construction, the lowest qualified bidder and issue a purchase order in the amount of $354,775 for construction, including contingency of $45,000.’ Within section two, replace all dollar amounts indicated from $47,275 to $77,275 as indicated below.”
The city’s Public Works Director requested Council’s approval for additional funding and to award a construction contract to Foster’s Construction for the completion of the repair project.
City Manager, Paul Ostrander, spoke on why the contract was awarded to Foster’s Construction:
“It depends on the type of RFP. In this case for construction contract, as long as they’re responsible and qualified bidder, it does go to the lowest cost. Other RFPs, there may be a matrix where we utilize other measurements. For example, the draft RFP that you saw for the waterfront feasibility study, that one took into account experience, qualifications, members of the firm, along with a smaller portion that cost is assessed, but in the case of these construction contracts like this, there’s an RFP put together. An engineer designs the project, provides all the quantities for these contractors. They each bid on that set of plans, issue their bid amount and it does go to the lowest bidder.”
Foster’s Construction completed similar work last year on the Peninsula Avenue Bluff Erosion Repair Project, which were caused by failing storm water piping.