April 27, 2010
The Fort Smith Airport Commission has awarded a fast-track design and construction phase services contract to Morrison-Shipley for the construction of a new taxiway in the Airport's West Corporate Area hangar complex. Taking advantage of a special one-time funding program offered by the Arkansas Dept. of Aeronuatics, the Airport Commission authorized the design and construction of the $556,000 project under a 90/10 grant. Under the contract awarded today, Morrison-Shipley is required to expedite the project's design and have bids accepted before the next Airport Commission meeting on May 25, 2010. "As always, Morrison-Shipley stands ready to assist the Fort Smith Regional Airport in taking advantage of special funding that comes about on short notice" said Greg Shipley, P.E., of Morrison-Shipley. "We have extensive experience delivering projects at the Airport on very short notice, and we look forward to another successful endeavor with the Commission", Shipley added.
UPDATE: May 25, 2010
Bids for the West Corporate Area Taxliane project were received today with a low bid of $416,000 submitted by Wilson Brothers Construction Co., Inc. of Alma, AR. Wilson Brothers' bid was $63,000 (or 14%) below Morrison-Shipley's construction estimate of $479,000. "Because our allotted design period of 14 days was extremely short, I commend our staff in putting together a quality set of plans that resulted in a significantly below-budget bid", stated Brian Maurer, P.E., Morrison-Shipley's Project Manager. The favorable bid allowed the Airport to expand the project limits beyond the original scope.