Senator asks new General Services commissioner to explain apparent no-bid lease to The Boring Company

Sen. Oliver pressed Department of General Services Commissioner Andy Kidd on Feb. 14 for a public explanation of a no-bid lease that, she said, involved The Boring Company and a proposed tunnel through her district along Murfreesboro Pike.

The exchange occurred while the committee considered Senate Bill 15-16, an extension for the Department of General Services. Sen. Oliver asked for details and public accountability: "this department came before the State Building Commission to ask for, a lease to give to the boring company... putting or aiming to put a tunnel through my district along Murfreesboro Pike. Can you explain how this no bid contract came about? And can you explain, the status of this project to my constituents?"

Commissioner Kidd responded that he was new to the position and committed to following up: "I was just sworn in on January 15, and so I'm a little new to this position. So if it's okay, I'm gonna get some more information and get back to you." He also said the department concurred with two observations and one emerging issue from the recent performance review and is addressing them.

Why it matters

Sen. Oliver raised two issues of public interest: (1) the procurement process for a lease to a private company that would use public land, and (2) potential impacts of a tunnel project in a populated district. Kidd’s pledge to follow up leaves oversight questions open; the committee advanced SB 15-16 but recorded one 'pass' during the vote.

What’s next

Commissioner Kidd agreed to return with additional information; the committee advanced the bill to the Senate calendar (vote recorded as 8 ayes, 1 pass). Constituents and interested parties asked for a public explanation and details on the lease and project timeline.