Petersburg Pilot -

While fishing vessels continue to move out of the North Harbor in preparation for the planned reconstruction project, a controversy is brewing over the validity of awarding the multi-million dollar project to an out-of-town contractor.

Tamico has filed a letter of protest with Petersburg Borough regarding the reconstruction bid award to Western Dock and Bridge of Ketchikan.

In a letter to Borough Manager Stephen Giesbrecht, manager Jim Martinsen of locally-owned Tamico claims the Borough did not follow proper procedure while accepting the final bid of the $7 million

project.

In the letter, Tamico claims:  “(1) That the parameters and interpretation that keep the Borough consistent with State Procurement Statute in regards to Deferred Maintenance Funding are questionable. (2) That the Borough did not follow proper procedure for 4.04.090 Protest and Remedies regarding allegations of ambiguities in a solicitation. (3) The Borough did not follow the proper protocol as outlined in 4.04.060 Bid Procedure and (4) The Borough has shown that their actions do not have best interest of the taxpayers of this Borough.”

Martinsen also claims the Borough did not allow enough time for interested parties to review changes during the bidding process.

Giesbrecht responded in a letter to Martinsen denying the allegations, but adding that Tamico was entitled to request a review of the decision.

“... Award to the lowest bidder is in the best financial interest of the Borough, which you know, has a substantial amount of its own funds committed to the project. The magnitude of the project, and the increased costs resulting from application of local preference certainly comes within “all factors of public interest” which may be considered in determining not to apply local preference, “ Giesbrecht wrote.

According to Borough Clerk Kathy O’Rear, the item may be discussed as early as Monday, April 1, as part of the Borough Assembly meeting agenda.