AG 1997 09 15 - Laserfiche WebLink

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l abarrus County heriff's Department Robert M. Canaday, Sheriff Memorandum DATE: TO: FROM: RE: September 8, 1997 Frank Clifton, Jr., County Manager Sheriff Robert M. Canaday ~ Tower Bids The Cabarrus County Sheriff's Department opened sealed bids on construction of a new tower on 09/02/97. '['he bids were read as followed: I. UNR-Rohn $126,115.00 2. Motorola $130,000.00 3. Robinson Tower $198,970.00 4. Pirod $205,566.00 This bid made by UNR-Rohn was the lowest, but upon review of the bid documents we found a caveat that is located on page 2, item 12 (see attachment). The caveat stated that Rohn needed more geotechnical information from the county before they could determine a total cost of construction of this tower. We had hired our own independent geotechnical engineer to perform a soil analysis for the suitability of that area. We advised Rohn to contact our engineer to ascertain the requested information, but Rohn stated that the total cost of the project could only be determined once the bid is awarded and construction begins. We attempted to come to some agreement with Rohn to fix a firm cost for this tower, but Rohn insisted they must be allowed to increase the cost of the project if they encounter any problems with the proposed site. The caveat creates a major advantage for Rohn to raise the total cost of the tower project once the bid is awarded. We feel that we have made a good faith effort with Rohn to negotiate a fixed and equitable total project cost, but they will not commit to a total dollar figure for this bid until they begin construction. The inability of Rohn to give an exact dollar amount leaves the county at Rohn's mercy to raise the cost of this project at their discretion. We do not feel comfortable with awarding an open ended bid to Rohn and therefore recommend that the bid should be awarded to Motorola, which gave the next lowest bid. Motorola has provided a total project cost which was required by the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office RFQ. They have presented a bid that is without any caveats that could later raise the total cost of the bid for this tower. There is approximately a three thousand dollar difference in the two bids, but we will pay no more than what is indicated on Motorola's bid verses Rohn's. We feel that selecting the next lowest bid is the safest and most stable of all bids received by the county. P.O. BOX 525 85 UNION STREET SOUTH, CONCORD, N. C. 28025 PHONE (704) 788-3108 ORI NC0130000