By Paul Snyder Subcontractors searching for state project deliveries perfectly free of bid shopping might have to settle for a good-enough compromise. “Is trying to stop any bid shopping after the general contractor’s bid better than what there is now? ...

Tagged with: AGC Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin bid bidding Boullion Division of State Facilities Helbach Hintz Risser subcontractors Wisconsin Department of Administration

By Sean Ryan J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. is trying to walk away from a Waukesha County project after realizing the company’s low bid was based on a $220,000 mistake. Waukesha/Retzer Maintenance Building “Unfortunately, errors do occur,” said Mike Dillis, ...

Tagged with: bid Creative Constructors J.H. Findorff & Son Waukesha County

By Sean Ryan Local contractors are welcoming the chance to openly bid on a La Crosse stimulus project that was supposed to be limited to six out-of-state companies. “The amount of work will increase significantly since we will have more ...

Tagged with: bid Fowler & Hammer La Crosse Ron Kind stimulus

By Sean Ryan A contractor is warning Milwaukee County that paperwork, oversight and program management are unavoidable costs of a local hiring preference for projects. “It might not cost bids, but it will cost taxpayers,” said Larry Rocole, vice president ...

Tagged with: bid City of Milwaukee J.P. Cullen & Sons J.P. Cullen & Sons Inc. Johnny Thomas Lipscomb Milwaukee County preference public works Rocole

By Sean Ryan Milwaukee County soon could give a bidding advantage to the contractor that hires the most county residents for a project. The goal of the county resolution, sponsored by Johnny Thomas and Theo Lipscomb, is to eventually offer ...

Tagged with: bid contract Johnny Thomas Lipscomb Milwaukee County preference Wanta William Sackerson Construction Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association

By Chris Thompson

editor

Milwaukee’s clumsy law favoring local bidders already has trampled on too many contractors.

Tagged with: bid blog contractors Hot Topics local preference Milwaukee thompson

By Sean Ryan MJ Construction Inc. owner Michael Tomasini on Wednesday won a third sewer contract under Milwaukee’s local preference law but spent the morning defending his bids. “This is the cheapest we have ever bid,” said Tomasini, whose company ...

Tagged with: American Sewer Services appeal bid contract local preference MJ Construction Underground Pipeline Construction United Sewer and Water

By Sean Ryan Milwaukee has invoked its local bidder preference on three sewer project awards, and contractors have challenged every contract. Builders filing the latest challenge argue the local preference law hurts Milwaukee residents looking for work because, in the ...

Tagged with: American Sewer Services bid contract law local preference Milwaukee MJ Construction sewer Underground Pipeline Construction United Sewer and Water

By Sean Ryan Shellshocked Wisconsin road builders are avoiding equipment purchases and work force expansions even with the promise of a packed bidding schedule in early 2010. It’s a mistake, said Kevin McMullen, president of the Wisconsin Concrete Pavers Association, ...

Tagged with: asphalt Associated General Contractors of America bid paving road builders stimulus Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association Wisconsin Department of Transportation

By Sean Ryan sean.ryan@dailyreporter.com Steve Ristow was the low bidder on a state project and lost the job because Wisconsin offers a preference for minority-owned companies. Ristow said he expects that defeat to pay off for him. The bid preference ...

Tagged with: bid Burkhart Construction Department of Administration minority minority-owned company Nuvo Construction preference Waukesha