building project. chairman of building and grounds committee is a ordained deacon. he secured three bids. he called third contractor and requested a bid for project on his letterhead. he further advised the contractor that another builder had been awarded the contract and that he just needed a bid higher than a certain amount, higher than the bid submitted by the contractor that was being awarded the contract. project cost less than $100,000.
if this was a government contract i believe the employee would probably be in jail or out on bail. what is appropriate action in this church situation?
This may have nothing to do with the deacon.
First, the customer is NOT committed to HAVING to use the cheapest bidder.
Often the cheap bid may indicate poorer quality work.
ANY job over $10,000.00 (unless performed by a reputable contractor who does regular work for the church) needs to have a bid process in which comparable bids are made.
Any bid that is considerably lower than the others (by more than 3 to 4 thousand) needs to be rejected. Consensus on customer cost shows that the contractors have considered the bid and taken all possible matters into consideration. The cheap bid hasn't.
Now, I have been on both sides of the issue - as a contractor and as one who contracts - I know first hand the dangers of those who accept the cheapest bid.
Now the question.
Did the contractor(s) all have the same material spec sheets and parameters for the job - the same bid specs, and the same plans?
If the bid has a $10,000 discrepancy - somebody has left off some important detail(s) or is using materials out of spec.
This may not be a "deacon" problem, but a bid problem.
Perhaps, a withdrawal of all bids needs to occur, and then thorough review process done over the spec manual and plans before rebidding.
That would prevent any misunderstanding and perhaps legal action by a disgruntled contractor.
And it may address the needs of the deacon.
