Sumpter Township Manager Anthony Burdick put questions about a recent bid award for work at the township fairgrounds to rest during the Aug. 23 meeting.
While there may have been some confusion regarding the bid specifications, Burdick said each bidder was offered an opportunity to reexamine the bid documents to “confirm their bids” prior to the awarding of the contract to Davenport Fence.
During the audience comment portion of the agenda, Eric Partridge expressed his disappointment and concern that the contract for fencing at the fairground was awarded to the highest bidder and noted that Allied, the low bidder was, $18,000 less. He said it was a serious concern that township taxpayers were being asked “to pay double” for fencing at the fairgrounds.
Partridge, who the second-lowest bidder, became increasingly agitated as he questioned the board motives and suggested wrongdoing on the part of the trustees and township attorney Rob Young. He complained that there was no master plan in place for the fairgrounds and said the board members had “the cart before the horse.” Before abruptly leaving the meeting he accused the trustees of being corrupt.
Burdick requested permission from Township Supervisor Tim Bowman, who chaired the meeting, to respond, and explained that he realized there were “varying degrees of understanding” of the bid specifications due to some confusion in the bid documents.
“I asked each of them to confirm their bids so that I knew they understood. Some bidders included work that was not arguably part of the bid,” Burdick explained.
Confusion regarding the requirement for commercial-grade rather than residential fencing and the scope of the work may have led to the confusion, trustees said. Burdick said he contacted each bidder, including Allied, the main topic of Partridge's comments. Burdick said no one from Allied responded, so the bid was not submitted for consideration.
Burdick noted that in an ensuing conversation, an Allied representative admitted the specification clarification had “been missed” leaving the bid as submitted.
Deputy Supervisor/Trustee Tim Rush reminded the audience that the board is not obligated or required to ever accept the lowest bid on a project but to consider what is best for the township.
