City awards Don Tyson Parkway extension contract to Apex Central after low bidder failed DBE requirements

The Springdale City Council on Aug. 12 authorized a construction contract for the Don Tyson Parkway extension after the lowest bidder was found nonresponsive for failing to meet the contract’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals.
City staff said Ground 0 Construction was the low bidder but did not meet DBE goals. The city instead selected Apex Central, which staff said met the contract’s 10% DBE goal; the contract amount reported at the meeting was $6,900,000. Ben (last name not provided) said the project (Don Tyson Parkway from Jean George Boulevard to Highway 112) is funded through a Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and the city’s expected share is roughly 20% of the project cost.
Council members moved and seconded the resolution authorizing the city to execute the construction contract; the measure carried unanimously. Staff said the city received four competitive bids, evaluated DBE compliance and is proceeding with the responsive bidder who met the DBE requirement.
The council’s action allows the city to execute the contract with Apex Central and begin the next steps in project implementation, subject to standard contract execution and construction oversight.