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Escambia Commission Rejects Jail Bid Protest
September 8, 2017
Escambia County commissioners voted unanimously Thursday night to reject a Special Master’s order to revise the bid for the county’s new jail.
Yates Construction lost the bid to Whitesell-Green/Caddell at the beginning of August and filed an informal protest that was rejected. They then filed a formal protest to have a Special Master hear their case.
Special Master John Trawick determined on September 1 that Yates’ protest should be granted. He found that Whitesell-Green/Caddell had material deficiencies in their proposal and it should not have been considered by commissioners.
Yates’ main reason for a protest was over a retention pond. Whitesell-Green/Caddell presented a proposal to county commissioners that showed a retention pond in the area that was designated for future retail space. Yates Construction proposed an expensive underground water storage in that same area. Yates argued that if they would have included a retention pond instead, it would have lowered their bid price by $3.5 million. That would have made them the lowest bidder.
Escambia County Purchasing Manager Paul Nobles upheld the commissioner’s decision to choose Whitesell-Green/Caddell during the informal protest. He said their original proposal submitted back in July complied with the county’s guidelines and that is what he will hold them to, not the changes presented to commissioners.
Commissioner Doug Underhill said they were aware of the deficiencies and it was not a “fatal flaw” when it came time to making a decision. He adds that $3.5 million was not a significant amount given that the project is more than $122 million.
Commissioners Lumon May and Steven Barry agreed that it was disappointing that Whitesell-Green/Caddell changed their proposal during the interview presentation. However, they still believe they had a design that would benefit the county the most.
County Attorney Alison Rogers told commissioners that if they reject the Special Master’s order, Yates Construction has 30 days to appeal in circuit court.
Pictured top: Whitesell-Green/Caddell Joint Venture’s conceptional design for a new Escambia County Jail. Pictured below: W.G. Yates Construction’s design for a new Escambia County Jail. Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
16 Responses to “Escambia Commission Rejects Jail Bid Protest”
Man, 3.5 mil? They could use some of that to repair the current jail and the rest for anything else that is needed in the county. Wish I hahadd just 1 mil.
So which commissioner/s or their aides have ties to Whitesell-Green/Caddell?? Anyone with walking around sense can see what has happen here.
@A Alex
You are asking for governor Scotts help to make sure the citizens don’t get ripped off Really you do recall he stole billions from the government in a Medicaid scam that he took the fifth amendment on and answered no questions come on now you silly rabbit
The sheriffs office asked for a 3.2 million dollar increase so that deputies could have a decent raise for the first time in many many years, and the commission refused to find the money. But they will waste that much on this project. Just shows where the priorities are.
Retaining pond or “underground water storage”. They do know that large parts of the county are swamp, right? I mean, they zone it for all kinds of stuff, but it still can’t be built on. Because it’s swamp. The underlying issue is currently, and apparently will continue to be, why didn’t they artificially raise up the area to prevent flooding in the first place? A jail in flood plains or swamp, with storage for excess water? I’m not the only one seeing this, right?
I am glad that someone thinks 3.5 mil is not a lot of money WELL it isnt when it is taxpayers money and our elected officals should spend it as if it were their money they will spend it and then raise taxes ( remember ECAT 4cent on the gallon and the increase in fire tax to benifit the south end of the county ) it is time to speak out and vote them out ALL OF THEM
Seems the last time we had the fan off before the crap hit it. One man dead (Jr) and 4 commissioners gone, is it that time again.
Being a retirrd contractor, if we arent talking about the same marbles how can you justify any bids. Can gov Scott come and kick some butts out
Yates was eleminated before the bids were opened. Disappointed in Mr Barry
Top picture is the best looking.
It’s OK until we get really heavy rain and the new jail floods just like the old one because the “retaining pond” was never built due to future residential use.
Look AHEAD for a change! While the Whitsell company may have a better designed product, not all the factors were involved or fairly presented. The other company should have been given a chance to explain their point of view as well. In the spirit of fairness, all should have been able to speak before a final determination was made. Remember this at election time folks.
I’m with John Bodie – I smell a rat too.
@ Mr. John Bodie. I’ve been in politics in Alabama for over 10 years now, with that said THERE ARE RATS EVERYWHERE. Somebody better look harder and see who’s profiting from this agreement. Citizen’s please hold your commissioners accountable. That is a lot of tax revenue, next because of the expense they will want to raise taxes to offset the costs incurred because of project oversights.
LOOK OUT Escambia County Florida.
Give the 3.5 million to the deputies who protect us. I will not vote for Lumon May when he runs for reelection.
Good old boy system! Underhill said 3.5 million not a significant amount of money WOW!
Jason you are right! The Commission should try to bring the greater savings to the TAXPAYERS. The very reason the taxpayers require construction project to be submitted for bids is to save money. BUT, the bid MUST be on the same design – the same set of plans. That way each bid is fair.
This should never have been a DESIGN AND BUILD project with taxpayer funds! I urge Yates to take it to court. I vote for a RE-BID using the Whitesell-Green design.
I smell a rat.
“…….Commissioner Doug Underhill……….adds that $3.5 million was not a significant amount given that the project is more than $122 million…….”
However, that $3.5 million would more than cover the Bay Center losses for one year. Its never “real money”, when its taxpayer money. While I also prefer the plan submitted by Whitesell-Green/Caddell, I also thought that re-bidding the project may actually bring greater savings to those who are paying for the project.