PORT TOWNSEND — A Sequim construction company has filed an appeal in Jefferson County of a Port of Port Townsend decision to hire a different firm to build a new administration building.
Primo Construction of Sequim was the apparent low bidder on a contract to construct a new administration building for the port.
Port commissioners awarded the contract to Grant Steel Buildings and Concrete Systems of Port Townsend because staff members said they had determined that Primo’s bid was “nonresponsive.”
$17,005 difference
Primo had bid $822,984 to build the 4,000-square-foot structure at the Boat Haven, while Grant bid $839,989, a difference of $17,005.
Port staff stated that Primo had failed to include a delivery date for the pre-engineered metal building as part of the bid and did not show five years of experience with metal buildings.
In the appeal filed Tuesday afternoon, Primo took issue with these findings, saying the company had provided a schedule as well as noting the required metal-building construction experience.
Hearing set
The appeal requested a restraining order, which was granted by Court Commissioner Steven Gillard, who set a hearing on the matter for 10 a.m. Tuesday in Superior Court at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St.
Both parties have requested that the hearing be moved up to Friday but had not received an answer as of Wednesday afternoon.
“We want to get this done as soon as possible,” Port Director Larry Crockett said.
“We had hoped to have started demolition by now and have already lost a week.”
Construction schedule
The original plan calls for completion of the building Sept. 1, a schedule that already is in jeopardy, Crockett said.
The new building is to be located in the Boat Haven on the site of the Marine Exchange building, which is to be demolished.
Either side can appeal the judge’s ruling, Crockett said.
On Wednesday, Grant declined to comment, saying it “would be inappropriate at this time.”
The port already has leased out its current office at 375 Hudson St. to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife effective Sept. 1, though that department has told the port it plans to move in Sept. 10 because of the Wooden Boat Festival, set Sept. 6-8.
Crockett said that if a long legal process takes place, the port would need to find temporary quarters until the new building is constructed.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
