MARSHALL — Marshall City Council members were surprised by the bids the city received for work on a wastewater lift station near Highway 23. While the low bid came in at an amount close to what city staff had estimated for the project, the next bid came in more than $370,000 higher than the low bidder.

“When you have bids that are $373,000 apart . . . I’m fine with going with the low bidder, but we’re fine that he has everything in there, that there’s not going to be surprises? Because that’s a significant difference in bids,” said council member James Lozinski.

“I have a little bit of shell shock when I see that,” said council member Craig Schafer.

After discussion, council members voted to award the lift station improvements bid to the low bidder, Rubin Construction, LLC, of Tyler.

On March 13, the city received bids for updates to a lift station near Highway 23, which pumps wastewater to the Marshall wastewater treatment plant. The updates included replacing four pumps in the lift station, and renovating its wet well structure.

Marshall wastewater plant superintendent Scott Truedson said two bids were received, one for $297,200 from Rubin Construction, and one for $670,000 from KHC Construction of Marshall. The city also received a bid evaluation from a consultant at engineering firm Bolton & Menk.

“Basically, he’s saying that, looking what’s in the bids, he thinks they are valid bids,” Truedson said.

“We have had, staff and Bolton & Menk both, conversations with Rubin Construction, and we have full confidence that they are a competent contractor able to deliver on this project, and we don’t foresee any issues,” said Marshall Public Works Director Jason Anderson. Anderson said the low bid also came in closer to what the city had expected the lift station renovations would cost.

“My concern is, what happened to the other bid?” Schafer said. “It’s a little concerning that we see something come in with that much disparity.”

“When you’re over 100% (higher), yes,” Lozinski agreed.

“Somebody moved a mark somewhere. I feel bad – did we consult with the other bidder just to say, ‘What are we missing here?'” Schafer said.

“The good news is, we have a good bid from a qualified contractor,” said Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes.

Council members voted to award the bid to Rubin Construction.