OPS Opens Bids For Public Restrooms Project

Tuesday, June 18, 2019 - 17:01 Press Release

The Ocracoke Preservation Society opened bids last month for the construction of proposed public restrooms, planned for the OPS owned property adjacent to the old Island Inn in the center of Ocracoke village.

The bid opening revealed two bids, both exceeding the Preservation Society’s budget. At a meeting of the OPS Board of Directors, Project Manager Tom Pahl explained, “Both of these bids are from off-island and both reflect the added cost of having to pay workers from off island, either in travel costs or in overnight accommodations. And the fact that we didn’t get any bids from on-island contractors reflects how busy all of the builders on the island are right now.”

OPS President Ken DeBarth and project manager Pahl both said they had spoken to local contractors and heard from them that they are simply too busy to bid a project at this time.

After discussing several options, the OPS Board agreed to drop the formal bid process in favor of a “negotiated contract” method to secure a builder. By that process, DeBarth and Pahl will contact local General Contractors and propose to enter into discussions to find one who will be able to offer the best combination of cost and schedule.

The Board agreed that it would make sense to allow a construction schedule that reflects the busy construction economy. “Even if we can’t start construction until winter,” DeBarth said, “we plan to go ahead with the project.”

Any licensed NC Building Contractor (on island or off) who is interested in the project should contact OPS at 252-928-7375 or Project Manager Tom Pahl at 860-933-0259.