Commission delays car rental action

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2003 | 9:50 a.m.

Clark County commissioners tabled a $123.3 million contract for a new car rental facility at McCarran International Airport for one day out of concern about the winning bidder and possible problems with its bid.

PCL Construction Services won the bid, but Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates expressed concerns about the company's history, and other companies that bid suggested irregularities occurred in the bidding process.

The commission, at the motion of Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, tabled the issue until 8:55 this morning.

"This company has a history that is not all that favorable in my opinion," Gates told her colleagues, citing a $400,000 cost overrun and numerous change orders that increased the price of a project for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

She said the company has had similar problems with other big projects in Southern Nevada and elsewhere.

"I think we're going down the same road with this company," Gates said.

Randy Walker, Aviation Department director, said the county doesn't have a lot of leeway in picking the contractor because state law requires the county to select the low bidder.

PCL's bid was about $4 million less than the nearest competitor, North Las Vegas-based Asphalt Products Corp. Asphalt Products Corp. Division Manager Randy Nickerl said he would attend today's commission discussion and may formally protest the bid if it goes to PCL.