Part of the presentation GLF gave to the GIBA board as to why they should be chosen to do the swing bridge project.

BY LIZA STROUT - It was confirmed on Monday, Jan. 21 that Orion Marine Construction had, indeed, sent an official notice of intent to file a letter of protest to the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority, contesting the fact that their bid was rejected on the swing bridge project.

The GIBA board voted on Tuesday, Jan. 15 to select GLF Construction Corp. for the project, after all initial bids had been rejected in November. GLF representatives spent approximately an hour speaking with the board and presenting a slide show aimed at persuading the board to select GLF.

The board sought advice from Attorney Susan Churuti at a meeting in December, after a letter of protest was received from GLF. She told the board they were well within their rights and the terms of the RFP to set aside all of the bids.

However, board Chairman David Hayes was the only one out of five to vote “nay” on awarding the contract to GLF.  His reasoning for the rejection was that no new information had been presented to the board in GLF’s favor. All board members agreed to reject bids in November, he said, based on the fact the fixed bridges had been bid at 100 percent, while the swing bridge had been bid at only 75 percent.
Hayes felt that reversing the decision would open the board up to more letters of protest, despite reassurance from GLF’s counsel to the contrary.

 

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