RM 02-06-76 - Laserfiche WebLink

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p -4 that the bond requirement would be eliminated. After very careful consideration the Redevelopment Commission ruled that the bid bond requirement be retained although many small contractors would be unable to participate in the program. The next bid opening was held on February 3, 1975 with only seven contractors submitting bids. The difference that the bonding "requirement has made is apparent. The large, established contractor is at the other end of-:.tbe spectrum. How do we get them interested in bidding on this work? Presumably, the large contractor is considered more equipped to handle rehabili- tation work with relative ease while maintaining quality workmanship. It was discovered that large contractors have just as much difficulty with the contracts as do the smaller firms. They simply do not have the staff necessary to complete the contract documents and the wage report forms. Also, they submit considerably higher bids due to their higher overhead costs. The only alternative we have in attract- ing "larger" contractors is to "bulk bid" ten or fifteen homes as one contract. This would offer a larger margin of profit to the larger firms but, unfortunately, would discriminate against the smaller companies who are unable to obtain bonding in excess of $50,000. We have incorporated this concept into the contract procedure for the HAO Elderly &Handicapped Referrals Program but we have had very poor response from the larger contractors. Also, we have done this with only one program in order that smaller contractors still have the other project in which to participate. We have still not abandoned the "bulk bid" concept and through the staff efforts to interest more large firms, we hope to have a better response from these companies. 3. Commissioner Robinson asked a number of questions related to quality of the Bureau's inspections and specifications. It is an obviously difficult situati.on considering the numerous change orders that are presented for action by the Commission. Many of the inspections were done well over a year ago by a different staff under different management. I do not know what procedures were used and what type of quality control was maintained. When the project came under my jurisdiction I did not order a total project reinspection.because of our serious shortage of manpower and time. As far as the inspections we are doing at the present time under the Community Development. Program, we are attempting to maintain quality and quantity simul- taneously. Ideally, the perfect inspection /specification is prepared by an engineer and an architect. Also, a good deal of time should be allotted for the preparation of each specification to insure its accuracy. Unfortunately, we are understaffed by approximately 40% and we are expected to accomplish in 12 months _what previous programs were expected to complete in three years. Our inspectors are gener- ally persons with construction background who are familiar with the BOCA. "One and Two - Family Dwelling" Code.. The main problem with contract specifications in the past was that no two contractors would have the same interpretation of the recommended work. Presently, we attempt uniformity of specification terminology in order that each contractor will have the same interpretation as the others. We attempt to make our specifications as exact as possible