By JESSICA BRICKER
The upcoming stormwater project in Murray has been awarded to VTF Excavation, a firm familiar with the area.
The company was the low bidder of two bids opened March 3, County Engineer Nate Rumschlag told the county commissioners Monday morning. The company is currently working on sewer projects in Murray and Liberty Center.
Both bids for the Murray stormwater project— VTF bid $601,920 — were below the engineer’s estimate. Rumschlag said the firm has asked to start immediately because they have a crew available, and he should have a more detailed schedule by the next commissioners’ meeting later this month.
In addition to receiving the unanimous support for the bid from Michael Vanover, Blake Gerber and Jeff Stringer, Rumschlag also received their permission to sign the final Indiana Finance Authority grant for the work.
“With the low bid so much below estimates, I negotiated with IFA to let us use the engineering contract and (the Northeastern Indiana Regional Coordinating Council) agreement as our co-funding,” he wrote in his report on the project. “IFA has also agreed to set aside $700,000 in grant funds for this agreement so we have additional funds for any unforeseen issues and additional asphalt pavement.”
In October Rumschlag announced the grant award for $855,563 with a minimum local match of $126,750. The county applied for an IFA transportation and stormwater grant, a new program through the state’s funding through the American Rescue Plan.
The project will install a stormwater collection system to service the community of Murray and will include roadway paving.
jessica@news-banner.com
