The Warren County Commission was “impressed” with the large gathering of contractors potentially interested in submitting bids for the planned administration building.

The commission chambers were packed for a pre-bid meeting, held last Thursday, with 37 people representing 34 firms in attendance. 

Sealed bids will be accepted until 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21. At that time, the bids will be opened. Any bids received after the deadline will not be considered.

The county has budgeted $6 million to construct the 36,670-square-foot, two-story building on 3 acres the commission purchased last year on South Highway 47 and Mockingbird Lane. The new facility will house all non-court related county offices.

“I am impressed with the turnout,” Southern District Commissioner Hubie Kluesner said. “It shows there is a huge interest in the building with the number of contractors coming out. There were a lot of contractors from our county and adjoining counties.”

Most of the meeting focused on minor details and questions raised by contractors.

Nick Smith, of Septagon, the project manager, said the contracts should be awarded within two to three weeks once the bids are reviewed. Site work should begin by the end of October. 

The construction process then is expected to take 14 to 16 months, according to Smith. He acknowledged Septagon has received a lot of interest in the project. 

“Now is when it usually picks up,” Smith said. “That is evident by the crowd today.”

In an effort to draw as much interest as possible locally, the county commission supported breaking the overall project into smaller scopes to entice local contractors to participate in the bidding process. That decision was made after considering implementing a local bidder policy.

More than 20 bid packages have been prepared to allow companies to bid on a variety of work, such as sitework, termite control, site utilities, asphalt pavement, landscaping, retaining walls, site concrete, window treatments, elevator, plumbing, fire protection, HVAC and electrical.

Companies can bid on as many packages as desired.

Three alternates — finishing out the health department area in the lower level, going with a metal roof panel finish and woodwork for the commission chambers — also are part of the bid package.

“We know that the economy is tough so we want to make it fair for everyone,” Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage said. “We hope to get good bids with good, quality workmanship.”

Bidders interested in the project can contact Wes Doerhoff, also of Septagon, at 573-808-0977 or Smith at 660-827-2112.