News
Nevada County contractors have the chance to win $3 million in new work, thanks to a plan approved by the Nevada Irrigation District.
The agreement marks the third time in six months the Nevada County Contractors Association has conferred with a local entity to land some portion of a large contract — which in the past typically went to larger, out-of-area companies.
“These are really hard economic times, and this is a really great collaboration,” contractors association Executive Director Barbara Bashall told NID board members after they approved the arrangement last week. “We're trying to get as much local participation as possible.”
NID's local bidders preference plan calls for the lead contractor on the Lower Cascade Canal-Banner Cascade Pipeline Project to steer 12 percent of the work to subcontractors and suppliers within the district.
The 12 percent rule on the 6-mile long pipeline job represents $3 million in local business out of the $35 million total construction cost. An additional $10 million will be spent on the 48-inch pipe, but was eliminated from the formula, according to NID Chief Engineer Gary King.
In addition, project completion work after the pipeline is built also will be steered to local businesses, King said. That work will include repairing the Grass Valley canal and replacing trees and bushes.
“This is a real good thing. It means we'll get local subcontractors out of this,” King said.
Local contractors did not bid on the $44 million pipeline project because of bonding concerns, King said.
“They could group together, but it would eat up their whole bonding capacity, and they wouldn't be able to do anything else,” King said.
The plan calls for the lead contractor to “make a good faith effort” to use 12 percent local goods and talent. But it also demands a list of local subcontractors and suppliers solicited for the official bid.
If unable to do so, the firm must show in writing it couldn't because hiring locals added too much cost or didn't attain design requirements.
King said bidders had best take the 12 percent provision seriously if they expect to be given full consideration. His thought was echoed by Bashall when she addressed the NID board last week.
“We expect them to get subcontractors and material suppliers on the list,” she said.
Contract bids are due Jan. 13, 2010, with preferences for businesses within the district, which covers western Nevada and northern Placer counties.
The project replacing the old canal is expected to start next year and be finished by 2012, according to NID Project Manager Brian Powell. The pipeline will decrease evaporation and increase delivery abilities for Banner Mountain, Chicago Park and others in western Nevada County.
NCCA members managed to get a $13.2 million contract for the second phase of Sierra College expansion in June. That was followed by a $500,000 building contract to build a bicycle repair shop and retrofit sidewalks and bathrooms for the disabled at Seven Hills Middle School in Nevada City.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
The agreement marks the third time in six months the Nevada County Contractors Association has conferred with a local entity to land some portion of a large contract — which in the past typically went to larger, out-of-area companies.
“These are really hard economic times, and this is a really great collaboration,” contractors association Executive Director Barbara Bashall told NID board members after they approved the arrangement last week. “We're trying to get as much local participation as possible.”
NID's local bidders preference plan calls for the lead contractor on the Lower Cascade Canal-Banner Cascade Pipeline Project to steer 12 percent of the work to subcontractors and suppliers within the district.
The 12 percent rule on the 6-mile long pipeline job represents $3 million in local business out of the $35 million total construction cost. An additional $10 million will be spent on the 48-inch pipe, but was eliminated from the formula, according to NID Chief Engineer Gary King.
In addition, project completion work after the pipeline is built also will be steered to local businesses, King said. That work will include repairing the Grass Valley canal and replacing trees and bushes.
“This is a real good thing. It means we'll get local subcontractors out of this,” King said.
Local contractors did not bid on the $44 million pipeline project because of bonding concerns, King said.
“They could group together, but it would eat up their whole bonding capacity, and they wouldn't be able to do anything else,” King said.
The plan calls for the lead contractor to “make a good faith effort” to use 12 percent local goods and talent. But it also demands a list of local subcontractors and suppliers solicited for the official bid.
If unable to do so, the firm must show in writing it couldn't because hiring locals added too much cost or didn't attain design requirements.
King said bidders had best take the 12 percent provision seriously if they expect to be given full consideration. His thought was echoed by Bashall when she addressed the NID board last week.
“We expect them to get subcontractors and material suppliers on the list,” she said.
Contract bids are due Jan. 13, 2010, with preferences for businesses within the district, which covers western Nevada and northern Placer counties.
The project replacing the old canal is expected to start next year and be finished by 2012, according to NID Project Manager Brian Powell. The pipeline will decrease evaporation and increase delivery abilities for Banner Mountain, Chicago Park and others in western Nevada County.
NCCA members managed to get a $13.2 million contract for the second phase of Sierra College expansion in June. That was followed by a $500,000 building contract to build a bicycle repair shop and retrofit sidewalks and bathrooms for the disabled at Seven Hills Middle School in Nevada City.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
