Bid awarded for old motel cleanup, apartment buildings lease approved

The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees on Monday discussed differences in bids submitted for rehab work to be done on the former Red Ram motel property the college has purchased for student housing.

On May 26, FSCC published a public notice for rehabilitation of the grounds at the Greyhound Lodge, located at 701 N. National Ave., and bids were opened by Director of Development Bob Cable and Dean of Finance and Operations Julie Eichenberger on June 7.

On Monday, Board Chairman John Bartelsmeyer said one of his concerns is the “huge disparity in the pricing” for the four bids received.

The four bidders were BS&G Contracting of Baxter Springs, which submitted a $40,000 bid; Cutler Services, Inc., of Fort Scott which submitted a $4,850 bid, Skitch’s of Fort Scott, with a $13,445 bid; and The Lawn Barber; SMM Holdings LLC of Fort Scott with a $22,250 bid.

According to FSCC information, rehab work would include removal of debris, brush and stumps from ditches, the embankment and retaining wall, as well as other areas on the property. It was discussed at the meeting that some of the work would require heavy equipment and the use of chainsaws.

Cable said he was not sure why there was such a discrepancy in the bid amounts. He said he “walked through” the property and all needed work with contractors that submitted bids.

“They’re bidding on the same job and had their questions answered,” he said.

The recommendation from FSCC administration was to accept the proposal from Cutler Services, which was the low bid. FSCC officials said the work would begin as soon as the contractor is notified, and is expected to be finished by July 25.

“There’s a lot of cleanup there,” FSCC President Alysia Johnston said.

Trustee Liz Meyer said her concern is that Cutler’s bid is not “realistic” with the amount of work to be completed. She said the only contractor that submitted a method and type of equipment to be used to do the work was Skitch’s, owned by Kevin “Skitch” Allen.

Bartelsmeyer reminded board members that “we don’t have to take the least expensive bid.”

Johnston said the only contractor that “followed all the rules” in terms of submitting information for bids was BS&G Contracting.

“If the others are disqualified, that only leaves one,” she said.

Johnston said college officials were also “worried about the disparity in the bids” and administrators “waited to see” what the board’s decision would be.

“We can’t put it off,” Bartelsmeyer said.

“It needs to be done before school starts,” Johnston said.

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