Colorado conference center expansion bidding involved misunderstanding, Denver claims
The city of Denver has frozen the bid process for the expansion of the Colorado conference after quarterly dollar expansion after discovering fraud, according to a press release issued Tuesday afternoon.
Earlier this year, companies sent competitive bids to design and build the $ 233 million project. The city is preparing to interview bidders when the city's law firm discovered that the process was "irreparably compromised by non-residents", announced the city in the press release.
The city has asked the Denver District Attorney's Office to investigate. DA's office is considering the material, but has not made any decisions about its next step.
The city claims that the process was compromised by "incorrect publication of city documents to a contractor who bid on the project; wrong discussions about the bidding process and change of approved project plans."
Denver officials have not detailed who committed the alleged actions , but the news release said the city would terminate the $ 9 million contract with Trammell Crow for program management. It also said that Public Works Director Eulois Cleckley "asks for an assessment of Mortenson's pre-qualification status for bidding on future projects."
Mortenson was one of three bidding companies to create the project shortlist.
"We believe this is a significant breach of public trust and a deliberate violation of a competitive bidding process," says Mayor Michael Hancock in the press release. "We will never tolerate this kind of behavior from our contractors and will continue to cope with this quickly and aggressively. "
Bill Mosher, senior managing director of the Dallas-based Trammell Crow, responded Tuesday:" The alleged measures in connection with the Colorado Convention Center project have in no way been authorized by Trammell Crow Company and are in violation of company values and long-term business practices. We cooperate fully with the city and conduct our own internal investigation. "
The company is a prominent player in Denver development. It played a major role in the Union Station Reconstruction Project, and is the master developer of Denver Waters $ 1[ads1]96 million conversion project.
Mortenson also conducts an internal review of its participation in the bid process and collaborate with the city and DA's investigations, said Maja Rosenquist, Senior Vice President of the Entrepreneur.
"We have received a letter from Denver and Denver about the termination of the RFP for the Colorado Convention Center Expansion Project," said Rosenquist. the issues raised by the city are very serious and are committed to handling this case thoroughly and appropriately. "
In addition to Mortenson, Hensel Phelps Construction Co. and PCL Construction Services also made the card to compete for the project, according to public working language Nancy Kuhn. The city mentioned none of these companies in its press release.
Votes approved partially financed ng for the conference center expansion in 2015.
If you have relevant information, send an email to akenney@denverpost.com or call 303-954 -1785.