Freeholders: Bill Imposing Bidding Changes Too Onerous

Ocean County officials are urging the defeat of a Middlesex County assemblyman’s plan to require purchasing agents to estimate the cost of all local, school board, college and county construction projects expected to cost more than $500,000 before they are bid.

The sponsor of the measure, Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski, D-19th, claims that requirement and limits on the reasons bids can be rejected will “ensure greater openness in the bidding process and further ensure careful deliberations before a decision is reached to reject all bids.’’

Republican Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari said the legislation “favors construction companies to the detriment of taxpayers.’’

The county’s director of Management and Budget, Ralph Patterson, said the legislation would force the county to hire a professional estimator and “increase the challenge to award and estimate contractors.’’

As written, the bill calls on purchasing agents to do the estimating.

Wisniewski introduced the bill 10 months ago, and it is winding its way through the Legislature.

Vicari urged lawmakers to reject the plan, a plea expected to result in a resolution from the all-Republican board opposing the bill.