The Playground Fall Protection Replacement project will replace existing fall protection materials with Engineered Wood Fibers to bring the playground into compliance with the Consumer Products Safety Commission guidelines for safety and meet  the new Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for accessibility in playgrounds.  Bids were opened on November 19, 2013.  There were 2 bidders, Good Earth Works and A1 Landscaping both firms from Billings.  Good Earth Works is the apparent low bidder with a base bid of $414,300.00.  Total cost for this contract will be $414,300.00.  The construction period will begin in January and end June of 2014.  This will necessitate the closure of selected playgrounds for a few days while the replacement operations are completed. 

The City Council May:

• Accept the bid for $414,300.00: or
• Reject the bid from Good Earth Works Inc. and provide direction to staff.

The funding for this project if from Park District One and was budgeted in FY 2013.  the project.  The project couldn't proceed until the second half taxes were collected, so the contract and work will actually occur in FY 2014.  This will require a second quarter FY 2014 budget amendment.

Staff recommends that the City Council award the contract for Playground Fall Protection Replacement to Good Earth Works Inc. of Billings for the amount of $414,300.00.