Light Squabble Settled in Time for Start of Softball, Soccer Seasons in Largo

Largo city leaders were expected to vote on a nearly $105,000 contract to replace lights, poles, wiring and other components of the nearly 30-year-old lighting systems at the Southwest Recreation Complex ballfields during a March 19 meeting.

They also were expected to vote on $390,000 contract to replace lights at Belcher Soccer Complex.

But after hearing comments about cost difference and warranties between the contracts, city leaders asked to find out more about the different lighting systems.

Those comments and a bid protest filed by a competing company forced the city’s hand to ultimately award both companies contracts to replace lighting systems. The contracts are expected to be awarded at a special city commission meeting Tuesday.

To mediate the proposal protest, the city agreed to use Riley Electric for the $105,000 project at Southwest Recreation Complex and Himes would be paid $390,000 for replacing lights at Belcher Soccer Complex.

Both companies agreed with the proposal that should have the lighting systems installed in time for upcoming softball and soccer seasons.

Here is what happened:

The city got two proposals to replace lights at Southwest Recreation Complex March 5, one from Himes, the other from Riley.

The proposals were evaluated with several criteria, including the company’s ability to perform the required services, experience on similar projects, qualifications, cost, type of equipment specified and schedule and guarantee of light levels for 15 years.

The contracts were first presented to commissioners March 19. That is when the issue of the warranties was brought up. While both proposals specified the duration of the warranty of the Musco and Hubbell light systems, neither offered details about specific coverage.

Commissioners asked for more warranty information and city staff were able to get most of it through installers Himes Electric and Riley Electric. Officials received an uncompleted warranty form from Musco. Hubbell provided the additional information that was requested, according to officials.

At the same time, Himes filed a bid protest for the proposed Belcher Soccer Complex project that was awarded to Riley Electric stating the company did not meet the requirements of Florida Statute Section 471.003:

During the review it was determined that the Himes Electric proposal for the Southwest Ball Field project should have been considered non­ responsive due to the fact it did not meet the specified  requirements of project completion within 90 days.

Alan Zimmett, city attorney, met with Riley Electric and Himes Electric in an effort to resolve the bid protest so the projects could be completed before softball and soccer seasons start.

It was proposed that the Southwest contract be awarded to Riley and the Belcher project to Himes in exchange for their releasing the city from any claims/liability for award of the bids in this manner.

Both parties agreed.

Related coverage:

Light Squabble Over Southwest Recreation Contract

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