Abilene Approves $2.08 Million Bid for Industrial Park Infrastructure Project

The Abilene City Commission voted to award a contract for the Abilene Industrial Park Addition No. 1 infrastructure project to Vogts-Parga Construction in the amount of $2,084,132.71.

Public Works Director Brad Anderson told commissioners the project includes approximately 1,340 linear feet of roadway, sanitary sewer, water line, a lift station and other improvements. The city received four complete bids, opened on July 30, from firms based in Goddard, Junction City, Salina and Mound Ridge. None of the bidders were housed within Dickinson County, so the city's local preference policy did not apply.

Anderson said the apparent low bid was submitted by Vogts-Parga, and that engineer Jared Lumis of Olsson Engineering conducted reference checks and phone interviews with other city managers and public works directors.

Anderson noted the engineer's probable cost estimate had been about $2.42 million and that two of the bids came within $100 of each other. Funding sources include a KDOC grant of roughly $1,630,000 with remaining costs covered by general obligation temporary notes. The commission approved the award unanimously among members present.