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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final April 20, 2021 had witnessed their work while being employed by Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, and Masteller & Moler had been pleased with past project performance by Centerline as well. Upon question by Vice Chairman O'Bryan, Purchasing Manager Jennifer Hyde clarified the process that took place regarding Southern Underground, making note that although responsive, they were deemed to not be responsible, which allowed the County to award the bid to Centerline, the next lowest responsive, responsible bidder. Vice Chairman O'Bryan, County Attorney Dylan Reingold and Ms. Hyde discussed the fact that the County was not required to award the bid to the lowest bidder if they were not deemed to be responsible/qualified to perform the work. Commissioner Adams was comfortable with staffs recommendation to award the bid to Centerline. Frank D'Alessandro, Vice President of Southern Underground, was present via zoom to voice his dissatisfaction that the County had considered hearsay opinions of their qualifications that came from reference checking, and also the opinion of Masteller & Moler when awarding the bid. He discussed the number of years in business and years of experience for both Southern Underground and Centerline. Via zoom, Mr. D'Alessandro displayed a letter from the City of Lake Worth contradicting a prior negative reference, and a letter from Nielson, Hoover & Company, Inc. to confirm their office provided surety credit in the amount of $25 million per single project for Southern Underground. He added his opinion that the location proximity should not disqualify Southern Underground. Chairman Flescher responded that Centerline was not located within the County, and the decision was based on the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Attorney Reingold made it clear that Southern Underground was disqualified due to being deemed not responsible. A motion was made by Vice Chairman O'Bryan, seconded by Chairman Flescher, to uphold that the Purchasing Manager acted according to County policy when denying the protestlappeal by Southern Underground, Inc. Aye: 5 - Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman O'Bryan, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Earman, and Commissioner Moss A motion was made by Vice Chairman O'Bryan, seconded by Commissioner Earman, to approve staffs recommendation to award the North County Water and Sewer Project Phase 2 to Centerline, Inc. for $3,881,269.00. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman O'Bryan, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Earman, and Commissioner Moss Indian River County Florida Page 18