ROGERS — Airport commissioners expressed mixed emotions Monday about the low bids received for an apron rehabilitation project on the east side of the Rogers Municipal Airport runway.
The bids were lower than the engineer’s estimate of $190,000 — the lowest bidder nearly $100,000 below the estimate. Commissioners questioned whether the company could actually do the job for the price.
There were two bids on resealing and crack repair of the apron and asphalt between the hangars. Unlimited Maintenance LLC, the low bidder, offered a bid of $92,606 for the project, with Time Striping Inc. coming in at $137,100.
“What do we know about Unlimited?” Commissioner Jerry Vest asked David Krutsch, airport manager. Krutsch said the firm did work at the airport last year.
“Why is the bid so low compared to the engineer’s estimate?” Vest asked.
“The engineers based their calculations on historical data for jobs like this,” Krutsch said. Unlimited is new to Arkansas and is probably trying to build a reputation and get more projects, he said.
“Unlimited is a Mississippi-Louisiana based company; they just started bidding on jobs in Arkansas last year,” Krutsch said.
“If they are bidding a project below actual cost, I guess the only way for them to make a profit is volume business,” said Gary Jackson, commissioner.
“Since they have worked here before and we didn’t have any problems, I think we should approve the bid,” said Ray Hobbs, commission chairman.
The bid was accepted with a unanimous vote.
Aldermen must approve the money for the project before the project can move forward, according to city ordinances.
Krutsch speculated the appropriation ordinance for the project will go before aldermen July 23.
“If aldermen approve the money, Unlimited will probably start the project in August or early September,” Krutsch said. The project will be done in four phases to disrupt air traffic as little as possible.
The work will start at the south end of the apron and work north.
“Some of the hangars will have to shut down when we do that area. It might be a little inconvenient for a day or two around the hangars but that’s about it. The apron will remain open on the west side throughout the project,” Krutsch said.
As with most Rogers airport projects, the cost to the city will be limited. The project is a 90/10 split, with the Federal Aviation Administration paying 90 percent and the city 10 percent. Krutsch said there is a possibility the city can get most of the 10 percent back from the state.