The Courthouse Contract That Took Three Tries
The lowest bid lacked a certified check; the next-lowest contractor balked at its own price; the job finally went to Colville builder Lee Gayman.
Bids for the addition to the courthouse were submitted last week to the county commissioners as follows: H. D. Kimple, $7,480; Friedricks Dittmer, of Spokane, $8,350; Lee Gayman, $9,160; F. R. Yanish, $10,870. The lowest bid carried with it no certified check as required by the call for bids, hence the contract was awarded to the next lowest, Friedricks Dittmer, of Spokane. After being awarded the contract, this firm decided that its bid was too low, claimed it had omitted figuring on the plumbing and refused to do the work. Hence the contract has now been given to Lee Gayman, of Colville. The county is now assured of a good job, Mr. Gayman having erected some of the best business buildings of this city. Work will be commenced immediately. The addition will be on the east side and a general change of the present rooms will be made. The clerk's office will be moved upstairs, giving easy access to the courtroom. The proposed addition will be two stories, about 50x30. —Examiner.
“After being awarded the contract, this firm decided that its bid was too low, claimed it had omitted figuring on the plumbing and refused to do the work.”
Public bidding rules exist to protect taxpayers, but the lowest number is not always the lowest responsible bid. The 1910 courthouse addition shows the same dance of certified checks, change orders and contractors walking away that still frustrates local governments.
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