The prior contractor for this Project, Close Construction, LLC was terminated by the DISTRICT before the Work (as defined herein) was completed.  Close’s Surety, Hartford Fire Insurance Company, through its engineer, Donald A. Eckler of Eckler Engineering, Inc., issued an invitation for bids for the completion of the Work (as defined herein) (Surety’s Claim Number 564558348) (hereinafter the “IFB”).

The CONTRACTOR submitted a bid in response to the IFB. When the original bid was issued in 2014, three firms submitted bids. Wharton Smith, Inc. was one of the three firms that had originally bid on the work at both lift station 10 and 50. The other firm was Florida Design. Both firms were requested to submit quotes for the completion of the work after the termination of Close Construction. Wharton Smith, Inc. submitted a responsive and responsible bid submission of $1,857,730 to complete the work. 

The Surety Company is recommending completion of the work by Wharton Smith, Inc.