County staff recommends awarding road-material and equipment bids based on availability

County staff told the Brown County Commission that several road-material and equipment bids received this year are similar to last year’s pricing and recommended awarding contracts based on contractor availability and stockpile location rather than a strict low-bid award. Commissioners approved the recommendations by voice vote.

The recommendation was presented by county road staff, who reviewed asphalt bids from Jensen’s and multiple gravel and rock bids (including Hanlon’s and Jacobs). “I’d recommend that we award both of them based on availability,” the staff member said during the meeting. Commissioners moved to adopt the recommendation (motions were recorded, for example, “Motion by Dennard, second by Wheat”) and carried the motions by voice vote.

The bids covered a range of materials and sizes — class D type mixes, cold mix, and multiple rock sizes for stockpile sites — and included equipment-rental listings such as excavators and loaders. Staff noted some new vendors and equipment models in the submissions and asked the commission to allow awards to multiple vendors as needed for logistical reasons.

Why it matters: awarding by availability lets the county secure materials and equipment quickly during the construction season and respond to constraints such as supplier stock, delivery windows and local site needs. County staff said the approach is intended to keep projects on schedule and minimize roadway disruptions.

What’s next: staff will finalize award letters and return copies of the executed contracts as they are received and will proceed with the planned road projects this summer.