(July 7, 2016) After a round of bids this March came in significantly over budget for the Ocean Pines Vacuum Pump Station F rehabilitation project, the Worcester County Commissioners rebid the project last month, and on Tuesday awarded the contract to Hopkins Construction of Bridgeville, Delaware.
The pump station, located at 43 Club House Rd, is in the County Public Works Department’s Ocean Pines service area.
John Ross, Worcester Department of Public Works deputy director, told the commissioners that the county accepted bids until June 27, following a pre-bid conference on June 20. The process resulted in two firms coming in at roughly 30 percent less than the cost estimates submitted in March.
“We rejected the bids on pump station F when they were originally submitted at a little over $600,000,” he said. “We now have it down to $420,000 which brings it more in line with our estimates for the project.”
Based on Ross’ recommendation, the commissioners chose Hopkins’ bid of $420,200 over a $433,700 submission from M2 Construction of Landisville, Pennsylvania. Among his rationales, Ross said Hopkins had recently completed work on a gas mitigation system at the Snow Hill Landfill in a satisfactory manner and has been involved in several pump station projects.
“We feel they’re qualified to do the work and will make sure the work gets done correctly,” he said.
Commissioner Chip Bertino raised one concern over the long-term appearance of the pump station.
“I didn’t see it in here. It’s possible I missed it, but will there be fencing placed around this?” he asked.
Ross said the fencing will be addressed later, and the commissioners would be able to decide between vinyl and wood materials.
“We pulled it out of this, figuring there was no point in paying a contractor mark-up,” he said. “We’ll just go out after it’s all said and done and get some competitive quotes.
The pump station, located at 43 Club House Rd, is in the County Public Works Department’s Ocean Pines service area.
John Ross, Worcester Department of Public Works deputy director, told the commissioners that the county accepted bids until June 27, following a pre-bid conference on June 20. The process resulted in two firms coming in at roughly 30 percent less than the cost estimates submitted in March.
“We rejected the bids on pump station F when they were originally submitted at a little over $600,000,” he said. “We now have it down to $420,000 which brings it more in line with our estimates for the project.”
Based on Ross’ recommendation, the commissioners chose Hopkins’ bid of $420,200 over a $433,700 submission from M2 Construction of Landisville, Pennsylvania. Among his rationales, Ross said Hopkins had recently completed work on a gas mitigation system at the Snow Hill Landfill in a satisfactory manner and has been involved in several pump station projects.
“We feel they’re qualified to do the work and will make sure the work gets done correctly,” he said.
Commissioner Chip Bertino raised one concern over the long-term appearance of the pump station.
“I didn’t see it in here. It’s possible I missed it, but will there be fencing placed around this?” he asked.
Ross said the fencing will be addressed later, and the commissioners would be able to decide between vinyl and wood materials.
“We pulled it out of this, figuring there was no point in paying a contractor mark-up,” he said. “We’ll just go out after it’s all said and done and get some competitive quotes.