PORT TOWNSEND — Port of Port Townsend commissioners have approved a bid from Olympic Peninsula Construction for work to update the stormwater system in the Boat Haven marina.
The approved bid from Olympic Peninsula Construction of Poulsbo was the lowest by more than $112,000 of the three bids that were received.
The approved bid for $154,617 raised some concern during a commissioners’ meeting last week because it was so much lower than the other two bids. Port staff assured commissioners that they checked Olympic Peninsula Construction’s certifications, business license and insurance to ensure they were reputable.
Port Executive Director Sam Gibboney said Olympic Peninsula also accounted for the port purchasing some of the materials for the project, which allowed for a lower bid.
The entire project will cost the port between $200,000 and $256,000 with the added cost of materials and hiring a project manager to supervise the project.
Gibboney said that because the project is complicated and on a tight timeline, having an onsite manager will ensure the project is completed correctly.
Port staff members plan to present the commissioners with a breakdown on the expected material and management costs at the port commissioners’ next meeting at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at 333 Benedict St.
Port staff has sent a notice of intent to award to Olympic Peninsula Construction and will begin working on a timeline for the project.
The project would update four in-ground sand filters located around the Boat Haven marina boatyard.
The contract includes the rehabilitation of perimeter filters using media material such as sand and oyster shell, which have been found to be effective at removing metals, staff members said.
Olympic Peninsula Construction also will be responsible for replenishing two Aquip stormwater treatment units with the proprietary media mix, moving one Aquip stormwater treatment unit and correcting various component elevations and sizes to ensure proper hydraulic functioning.
Because the Boat Haven Marina doesn’t sit on a significant grade, the elevations are particularly important to ensure water is flowing the correction direction, Gibboney said.
Gibboney said the contractor understands the port is on a deadline and she is hoping for the entire project to be completed in about five to six weeks.
The port has a Sept. 30 deadline for the project completion as set by the state Department of Ecology. However, Gibboney said Ecology likely will not enforce that deadline if the port has made significant progress on the project.
“I don’t expect any enforcement action or any administrative repercussions if we are still doing work past that Sept. 30 deadline,” Gibboney said.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
