EPISD adds measures in bidding process for construction projects

In 2016 El Paso Independent School District voters approved a $669 million bond and now massive multimillion dollar projects are set for construction.

But when bidding for the jobs started, two New Mexico companies were in the top ranks for selection.

Some questioned what the criteria was for a New Mexico company to be up for selection over

a Texas company.

Many believe if a Texas company would be selected they would more than likely hire local sub-contractors and with the first projects totaling millions of dollars — that’s money that can stay in El Paso’s economy.

The first major EPISD bids went out for the reconstruction of Coronado, Burges and Jefferson high schools.

The contracts all together would total $98 million.

Atop the rankings to get the Coronado construction job was Albuquerque based HB Construction behind them would be El Paso based Jordan Foster.

In a bid for the Burges project Foster fell behind HB Construction and Albuquerque based Jaynes Construction.

People in the El Paso construction community sounded off questioning the criteria in picking a company.

“Specifically for Coronado, Burges and Jefferson my request to the board was to reject those bids,” said district superintendent Juan Cabrera.

On Tuesday evening, the board voted to reject three bids.

District officials say they will add another measure insure bidding fair.

“What we’re going to use is outside council to help us oversee the criteria, the process of the review and the final evaluation process. We’re just going to take the extra step of having an independent third party and oversee it so that the board feels comfortable to represent the public and that it’s been seen by an independent third party,” Cabrera said.

The law firm that will be involved in the process said they have over 10 years of experience overlooking projects similar to those EPISD is involved in.

“They only represent school districts and public entities which means they have no affiliation with any construction, architect or engineer company,” Cabrera said.

So now that all bids were rejected and the bidding process will start again will that delay any projects?

“So this doesn’t stop our timeline. The architects will finish the drawings and then we’ll do the next proposal and the next three or four months we will pick a construction company,” Cabrera said.

There is also another process that will be added when the next round of bidding begins and that is a competitive sealed proposal.

Which means officials won’t see the name or where the companies are from just their criteria,

but it still doesn’t assure Texas companies will be hired over New Mexico companies.