Clallam County staff told the Board of Commissioners on Sept. 29 that construction‑ready bid documents for a joint public safety facility with the City of Port Angeles are complete and that the county plans to publish an invitation for bids on Oct. 1, with sealed submittals due Oct. 29 at 2 p.m.

The project matters to the county and city because it consolidates public safety services and represents a significant upcoming capital procurement. County staff said the design team completed construction documents and that staff engaged the design firm to finish the Division 00/01 bid documents. "We are ready to go for bid, which is great news," a county staff presenter said. The county intends to advertise in the county website, the Peninsula Daily News, the Builders Exchange and the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.

Staff said general contractors have already contacted the design team and that the county expects a robust response. Mike Green, a county staff member, said contractors are prepared to mobilize and that the timing is favorable: "The contractors are anxious and looking forward to this project. It's a project that they can put staff together quickly on."

The planned procurement schedule is: publish Oct. 1; four weeks for bid submittals; close submittals Oct. 29 at 2 p.m.; and a special board meeting Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. to open bids. Staff asked the board to ensure city staff and council are invited to the Oct. 29 meeting so the city can follow bid results and the subsequent recommendation and selection process. Staff also said they are building in allowances for winter weather uncertainty in the project schedule and will evaluate bids and return a recommendation to the board.

Discussion versus decisions: the Sept. 29 session was a briefing; staff said the board would consider a formal motion to authorize the invitation for bids at the regular meeting the following day, and the special meeting on Oct. 29 will serve to open bids. No award or contract selection occurred during the work session.

Ending: staff said they will proceed with publication pending the board’s formal approval at its next regular meeting and will return with bid evaluations and a recommendation after the Oct. 29 opening.