Bid appeals denied, hearing set for private property debris removal program for Marshall Fire

NEWS RELEASE
BOULDER COUNTY
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The Boulder County Commissioners accepted a staff recommendation to uphold a Feb. 10 bid award and issue denial letters in response to appeals filed by two competing firms that were not awarded the bid to provide Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) services through a coordinated, government-sponsored program for properties impacted by the Marshall Fire.

The Commissioners’ decision was based on information provided by the Purchasing Division in Boulder County’s Office of Financial Management that outlined the process, time and scoring that led to the committee’s original bid recommendation that DRC Emergency Services, LLC, (DRC) was the bidder that would provide the best overall value to the county, city and town.

“Boulder County unfortunately has so much experience with natural disaster, we can rely on staff expertise. The committee spent the time needed for a thorough review,” said Commissioner Marta Loachamin . “We’re trying to respond as quickly as possible to community needs to get this work done in regard to debris removal.”

This administrative action is one of four necessary steps before the PPDR program can proceed. The other three steps are to:

• Finalize an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between Boulder County, the City of Louisville and the Town of Superior. The city and town are expected to consider this IGA on Tuesday, March 15, and if approved by the city and town, the IGA would be considered by the Commissioners on Tuesday, March 22.
• Resolve a preliminary injunction motion in a lawsuit filed by Demanding Integrity in Government Spending attempting to block the contract. The Judge has set the hearing on the motion for 11 a.m. on Friday, March 18
• Sign a contract with the awarded bidder, DRC. Pending the outcome of the March 18 hearing, this contract could be signed by the Commissioners on the same date as they consider the IGA, which is March 22.

853 property owners have chosen to participate in the PPDR program, which is estimated to cost about $55 million and is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the State of Colorado, and the three local governments. The program will include:

• Removal of surface ash, which may include three to six inches of incidental soil;
• Removal of foundations, structure footings, basements and burned vehicles;
• Burned debris from the remains of homes, including partially burned furniture, personal belongings, household appliances, and patio furniture;
• Hazardous materials and pollutants; and,
• Chimneys, trees, and unsupported walls that are hazardous to debris removal crews.

While Boulder County originally hoped to begin work on PPDR in early March, these administrative items have delayed the start of the program. County staff remain hopeful the project will be completed in roughly the timeframe originally anticipated.

More information on the coordinated debris removal program is available at www.BoCo.org/Marshall-Debris-Cleanup.

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