By CINDY TOOPES COURIER STAFF WRITER
March 28, 2008 11:10 pm
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OTTUMWA — City Clerk Ann Cullinan opened the four envelopes at 2 p.m. Friday and read the names, but the winner isn’t known yet.
Friday was the day for opening the bids received for the Bridge View Center’s marquee sign project.
Cullinan said it’s her sworn duty as the clerk to open the envelopes and pass the packet to the department head and/or staff members who sent out the bids.
BV General Manager Jon Elbaum said he will review all the proposals, which “have to meet the specifications.
“The lowest bid may not be the best one,” he added.
Local bidders have a small edge against the out-of-towners. Elbaum said there’s a 1 percent preference for a local company.
Elbaum sent out five packets and the city received four responses.
The first one was from Sherwood Company of West Burlington with a bid of $70,324.
Elbaum said the bid “seems low” and he’ll look at that proposal closely. There are different companies and each one, depending on the LED (Light emitting diodes) seller, doesn’t make the signs the same way.
The next bid Cullinan opened was from Cobler Sign and Graphic Company of Ottumwa. Cobler’s bid was $89,000.
“We’ll check to see what they’ve provided and if they’ve included all the work we’ve specified, such as training and certification by the UL laboratories,” Elbaum said.
Cullinan said there were no supporting documents with the bid.
Elbaum said many bidders will send additional information about the list of specifications and/or shop drawings.
Chestnut Signs of Des Moines sent a bid of $82,546.06. Elbaum said he talked “to that guy” but he doesn’t know him.
“Some bidders will submit a list of work done in the past,” Elbaum said.
Trans-Lux of Des Moines sent the fourth envelope, which was a bid of $74,733. Elbaum said Translux was “one of the bigger companies” that make such signs.
Nesper Signs of Cedar Rapids was the fifth packet Elbaum sent out but the company did not respond.
“We really look at the details, make sure we’re comparing apples to apples, then make a recommendation to the city council,” he said. “These aren’t super complicated. We want something that meets the specs and completes the sign work successfully for the best price. We want the sign to last.”
Those who rent a portion of Bridge View Center will receive some time on the marquee sign. But, if the renter/vendor wants to promote a show or event two months ahead of time, Elbaum said that’s an extra charge.
“Some companies have already called and inquired about the details,” he added.
Elbaum will be reading and studying the bids this weekend and will make his recommendation next week. After that, the marquee sign will be on the council’s agenda.
How soon will the sign be up?
Elbaum said each bidder has specified a time frame they need. Some may need a longer time than others, depending on the production schedule they already have in place, he added.
“The best-case scenario would be to have a sign in place by early June,” he said.
The council’s April 15 meeting is most likely the soonest the sign would be on the agenda.
Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.
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