FARMINGTON — Selectmen recently rejected all six bids submitted for construction of a three-bay garage at the new Farmington Police Station on Franklin Avenue.
Finding inconsistencies on how the contractors bid, the board determined it wasn’t fair to compare them.
Deputy Chief Shane Cote said some bidders were confused by the scope of the work, one didn’t realize the department would provide materials and included the cost, making them the highest bidder. One didn’t include the cost of a utility sink and the others did.
The department had decided to forgo the sink after it was estimated to cost nearly $11,000, Cote said. The sink would need its own drain to the sewer with the closest manhole across the street near the Big Apple. That made it expensive to do, he said.
Bids were higher than expected, ranging from $66,346 to $91,200.
The garage is being undertaken with a private donation from Richard Bjorn covering the cost above the amount voters approved at the March town meeting. Even though the bids are higher than expected, he agreed to continue his support, Town Manager Richard Davis told the board.
The board requested that Davis seek a cost estimate from architect Craig Boone to develop the bid specs and conduct the bidding process. Contractors can bid or rebid on the project.
The board will review the estimate when it arrives, he said.
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