stltreedr
ArboristSite Operative
I recently bid on a municipal project by the crew-hour, at their request. The results came in, and we were right in the middle, as usual, but the winning contractor had submitted two bids: one that didn't win, and one that matched the lowest bid that was submitted after the deadline.
This whole thing was smelling fishy, so I emailed the city forester and asked him what was up. He responded that the contractor who had been working on the property for the previous two years was given the opportunity to match the lowest bidder. My question to you all is: Is this a normal practice and is it ethical?
I am thankful that it wasn't a firm price bid, and I didn't waste a bunch of time looking at the work. But why even put it out for bid if you are happy with your current contractor? Why not just give them the opportunity to adjust price for cost of living? I wasn't the lowest bidder anyway, but if I was, I believe I would be in attendance at the next city council meeting.
This whole thing was smelling fishy, so I emailed the city forester and asked him what was up. He responded that the contractor who had been working on the property for the previous two years was given the opportunity to match the lowest bidder. My question to you all is: Is this a normal practice and is it ethical?
I am thankful that it wasn't a firm price bid, and I didn't waste a bunch of time looking at the work. But why even put it out for bid if you are happy with your current contractor? Why not just give them the opportunity to adjust price for cost of living? I wasn't the lowest bidder anyway, but if I was, I believe I would be in attendance at the next city council meeting.