Wichita board wants more time on terminal protest
The bid board for the city of Wichita has delayed a decision on a protest filed regarding the project to build a new $150 million terminal for Mid-Continent Airport.
Dondlinger & Sons led a team that was the low bidder on the project, but the bid was disqualified because it did not meet requirements regarding disadvantaged businesses, or subcontractors who would be minority-owned or women-owned businesses.
The bid was awarded to the second-lowest bidder, a team led by Key Construction, but Dondlinger filed a protest. That has delayed the start of construction on the new terminal.
During a hearing Monday at City Hall, attorneys representing the Dondlinger team and the Wichita Airport Authority presented their arguments.
Dondlinger said they have 15 subcontractors who represent disadvantaged businesses. It is asking to be declared the winning bid, or to have the bid process restarted.
The Wichita Airport Authority said the Dondlinger bid did not have the proper documentation to show a good faith effort in meeting federal requirements for disadvantaged businesses, and the acceptance of the bid or a re-bid could jeopordize federal funding, which amounts to a third of the funding for the terminal project.
The bid board decided it needs more time to discuss the protest. It will meet again at 1 p.m. Tuesday for a two-hour executive session.
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