Duane Hicks
A total of six tenders were submitted to build the new Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre by yesterday’s 2 p.m. deadline.
Now the bids will be reviewed prior to any decisions being made.
Tom Jones Corp. submitted a bid for $5,649,500 while Whitehall Contractors offered to do the job for $3,886,138.
Aurora Construction said they could do the job for $4,213,000 while Finn Way General Contractor Inc. offered to build the library and technology centre for $4,227,000.
Man-Shield Construction Inc. submitted a bid for $4,266,000, with Woodbridge Constructors Inc. putting in a bid for $5 million.
These bids are base bids. Each also includes eight alternate bids which modify the contract and adjust the cost downward by subtracting work or substituting materials (i.e. substituting metal roofing for asphalt, etc.)
All the contractors are from Thunder Bay.
All the bids were opened publicly and read aloud yesterday afternoon in the committee room downstairs at the Civic Centre.
Library board chair Joyce Cunningham said afterwards that the library building committee will meet tomorrow (Thursday) to start reviewing the tenders, and also send tender information on to project architect John Knox of Chamberlain Architects for review.
“I am happy we have come as far as we have,” noted Cunningham. “I think it’s been a long process and it’s been a very exciting process, and I am still looking forward to walking into that new building.
Community Services manager George Bell said it’s possible the committee will have a recommendation ready for town council by its March 30 budget meeting.
The accepted tender has to be approved by council. The lowest bid, or any tender, will not necessarily be accepted.
According to town policy, the town reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive irregularities and informalities therein, and to award the contract “in the best interest of the town in its sole and unfettered discretion.”
The library and technology centre project has a projected building cost of $3,941,871, with an extra $383,371 included both to cover an estimated 12 percent inflation in building and material costs due to delays, as well as re-design fees in the amount of $25,000.
This makes for a total budget of $4,325,242.
