Bidding Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Judge Halts Work on W.Va. Capitol Complex Security Project

Work on a security project at the Capitol Complex is on hold while a judge considers a contractor’s lawsuit.

McClanahan Construction of Poca is challenging the state’s decision to award the contract for the $3.4 million project to Wiseman Construction of Charleston.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Joanna Tabit on Monday granted McClanahan’s request to temporarily stop work on the project.

McClanahan was the low bidder for the contract but was disqualified for submitting a nonconforming bid. Wiseman submitted the second lowest bid.

The state plans to install a fence surrounding the Governor’s Mansion and convert two parking lots adjacent to the Culture Center into a bus turnaround.

A hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

State Officials Admit 'Errors' in $7.4M Lottery Project Bid

After initially defending a decision to award a more than seven and a half million dollar West Virginia Lottery building renovation project to a contractor that didn’t submit the lowest bid, state officials now say they made serious errors.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that a lawyer for the Lottery Commission recently told the West Virginia Supreme Court the documents state officials had released for the construction companies were flawed and had been confusing.

The Lottery Commission is now asking the Supreme Court to uphold Kanawha Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey’s decision in June to award the contract to Maynard C. Smith Construction of Charleston, the low bidder, despite its lack of submitted references.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Kelli Talbott says it’s too late to go back and award the contract to Wiseman Construction, the second-lowest bidder.

Bid Dispute Snags W.Va. Lottery Renovation, Cost Could Rise

The expected $7.6 million cost for the renovation of the West Virginia Lottery’s headquarters could mount amid a protracted bid dispute.

The renovation involves the lottery’s 13-story home in Charleston. In May, a circuit judge law clerk directed a lawyer for Maynard C. Smith Construction to draw up an order for the renovation contract. But the state and Wiseman Construction challenged the proposed order.

The Charleston Gazette reports that the state said in court papers that the renovation’s costs will increase significantly if the bid dispute drags on. They also say the state stands to lose $465,000 annually in rental income.

The Lottery building renovation will include space for the state Insurance Commission. It hopes to move its offices there from a state-owned building on the city’s East End.