TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 16, 2025
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Acting Executive Director
Title
Report on rejection of bids for Contract 25-635-21, SEPA 3 Paver Walkway Improvement, estimated cost between $190,000.00 and $230,000.00
Body
Dear Sir:
On July 17, 2025, the Board of Commissioners authorized the Director of Procurement and Materials Management to advertise for bids Contract 25-635-21, SEPA 3 Paver Walkway Improvement.
In response to a public advertisement of August 20, 2025, a bid opening was held on September 16, 2025. The bid tabulation for this contract is:
SEMPER FI LANDSCAPING INC $191,525.00
MCDONAGH DEMOLITION INC $325,045.00
The associated goals for this contract are 20% Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBE), 10% Women-owned Business Enterprises (WBE), and 3% policy goal for the Veteran-owned Business Enterprise (VBE).
Semper Fi Landscaping, Inc. (Semper Fi) submitted a low bid for this contract and offered 44% MBE, 10% WBE, and 44% for VBE policy goal.
A review by the Diversity Administrator of the apparent low bidder, Semper Fi, revealed that they are not in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Affirmative Action Ordinance Revised Appendix D under Section 14, Counting MBE and WBE Participation Towards Contract Goals (j). Semper Fi listed $20,000.00 for WBE supplier participation by Foundation Mechanics, LLC. Semper Fi has exceeded the allowable exception amount. Semper Fi was only permitted to count up to 50% of the WBE goal, equivalent to $10,000.00 causing a shortfall in goal attainment for WBE.
Therefore, the Diversity Administrator recommends rejecting their bid. The Director of Procurement and Materials Management concurs and has rejected the bid from Semper Fi based on the above information and in the public’s best interest. Semper Fi Landscaping, Inc. has been notified of this action.
The Maintenance and Operations Department reviewed the second lowest bidder, McDonagh Demolition, Inc. (McDonagh) and recommends rejecting their bid. McDonagh’s bid of $325,045.00 is approximately 41.3% over the high end of the estimated cost range and is too high to be considered for an award. The Director of Procurement and Materials Management concurs and has rejected the bid from McDonagh based on the above information and in the public’s best interest. McDonagh Demolition, Inc. has been notified of this action.
The Maintenance and Operations Department will reassess the project scope and determine the most appropriate method to complete the work.
Requested, Pinakin V. Desai, Acting Director of Maintenance and Operations
Respectfully Submitted, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management, DAL:SEB:gv