WELLSVILLE, Ohio — The Columbiana County Port Authority on Wednesday rejected bids for a renovation project at Quality Liquid Feeds in Wellsville, citing costs that exceeded estimates.
During a special telephone meeting, board members voted 3-0 to reject bids from W.E. Downie Co. Inc. and Dynamic Structures Construction Inc. Board member Nick Amato was absent.
Engineering firm Howell and Baird Inc. advised that both bids came in more than 10% above the project’s $725,000 engineer’s estimate, making them ineligible for award. The lower bid, from Dynamic Structures Construction, totaled $828,236.22 — 14.2% over the estimate.
Bids that exceed the engineer’s estimate by more than 10% cannot be accepted under project guidelines. Howell and Baird President Jon D. Vollnogle recommended the port authority reject the bids and revise the project to include value engineering measures before re-bidding.
Assistant Port Authority Director Brittany Smith said the goal is to award the contract at the board’s next regular meeting in May.
The renovation project includes work at the Quality Liquid Feeds molasses storage unit at the Wellsville Intermodal Facility, such as foundation and driveway excavation, concrete and steel tank work, painting and drainage improvements.
Up to 50% of the project cost will be covered by a Maritime Assistance Program grant secured by the port authority.
Founded in 1977 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, Quality Liquid Feeds is a family-owned company that manufactures liquid animal feed and supplements. The company has expanded nationwide, with the Wellsville plant opening in 1999.