By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com
WABASH, ind. – Randall Construction received the bid to build a new structure at the Wabash Fire Department’s North Side Station.
The firm, from Wabash, bid $179,165.15 to construct the building, which will serve as a training and storage facility.
One other firm, DT Construction Services, bid $193,416.
The bids were received two weeks ago, but tabled to allow fire officials a chance to review them.
“We looked them over and they seemed to be apples and apples,” Fire Chief Barry Stroup said.
However, in a matter of full disclosure, told the board that Jason Randall, owner of Randall Construction, is the brother-in-law of firefighter Andy Oswalt.
“The bid was almost $20,000 cheaper though,” the chief continued. “Everything was sealed bids, so there’s no way anyone could have known what the other one was bidding unless they talked.
“We recommend selecting Jason Randall’s bid from Randall Construction.”
In addition, he noted, DT Construction contained a $9,000 contingency fee should any of the concrete work take place during the winter.
“We’re heading into winter, the masonry work was going to cost another $9,000, so that added to the bid.”
Future plans for the 60-foot-by-100-foot building are for a portion dedicated to teaching fire safety to school children. The plans are to have a meeting area in which we will be able to provide classroom facilities, a loft area with moveable walls for different drills, an area for rappelling and resuce operations and a laddering area.
“There may be other features as the building committee is continuing to come up with ideas,” Stroup told The Paper of Wabash County earlier this month.
In addition to WFD personnel, the police and surrounding departments will be able to use the facility.