Bid decision delayed (7/1/04)

The Portland Aviation Board opened bids for phase one of the taxiway extension project on Wednesday. However, no bids were selected.

Mid-States Engineering project engineer Mike Evans suggested the board allow him to review all of the bids to make sure there were no errors in the bid submissions. He said he will recommend which companies would be most suitable.

“You’re pretty much locked into (the lowest) bidder,” said Evans.

The work on the project is broken down into two divisions. Division A, the more costly work, will be for grading, drainage and paving. Division B involves the lights, guides, signs and beacons.

The board received five bids for the extension project. The lowest bid for Division A was from Fleming Excavating of Decatur. The bid was for $413,461. Ludwig Contracting Inc. of Brookville had the lowest bid for Division B, which was $27,125.

Although a decision on the bids was postponed, Evans had board president Glynn Barber sign the application for a Federal Aviation Administration grant. Evans said he will indicate on the application how much money the airport will need for the project, then resubmit it to the FAA. He expects to submit the grant application today or Friday.

“I expect a grant offer in three weeks,” said Evans.

The Portland Municipal Airport has already been approved for up to $350,000 in grant money through the FAA for this project. However, Evans is not worried the amount of grant money needed may exceed what was previously approved.

“I think we’re OK,” he said after Wednesday’s meeting. “I think we’ll find the money.”[[In-content Ad]]