Guelph-Eramosa Township has awarded a road line painting project to RanN Maintenance.
At the April 3 council meeting, director of public works Harry Niemi explained why his recommendation was to accept RanN’s $16,048 bid versus the lowest bid of $14,978 from Apex Pavement Marking Ltd.
He said there were three main reasons:
– Apex seems to be a re-branding of Line Marking Service which the township has contracted in the past (“In 2013 they were awarded the contract but they never actually started after unsuccessful attempts to get them out and ultimately that contract … was awarded to RanN to complete the work in 2013,” Niemi said);.
– Apex only takes into account five working days (“If it rains those five days I doubt they could complete the work,” Niemi said); and
– the company is also located in Peterborough, whereas RanN is located within Guelph-Eramosa Township.
“There’s some concern with servicing us from Peterborough,” Niemi said.
Both projects would come in under the $21,000 allotment in the 2017 budget.
Apex estimated a start date of June 12 while RanN estimated a start date of May 1.
Niemi explained the financial difference would be about $1,000, which is the difference between the two bids.
However, there is additional risk if Apex was unable to complete the contract or if the township had difficulty getting them to begin the work.
Council unanimously voted in favour awarding the contract to RanN Maintenance.
The third bid for the line painting contract came from Almon Equipment, with a start date of May 23, for $17,831.
