Bidder Protests Award for Building of a Park

A Placentia-based contractor this week protested a Public Works Department recommendation to award a bid to build Bob Henry Park.

Micon Engineering, the second lowest bidder, claimed through its attorneys that Los Angeles Engineering, the city’s choice to build the $930,000 park, did not comply with state license laws.

Officials of Los Angeles Engineering, a Rosemead firm, called the protest ridiculous and desperate. Los Angeles Engineering was poised to be granted the contract for the new park Monday, but the City Council decided to wait for six weeks to allow city staff time to investigate the allegations by Micon Engineering.

The planned four-acre park, at Dover Drive and 16th Street, was named after Officer Bob Henry, who died a month after being shot in the line of duty last year.

Eleven companies bid on the contract. Micon contends that Los Angeles Engineering made an unfair bid by not including the subcontractors intended to be used by the contractor.

“This protest is very unusual,” said Los Angeles Engineering President Angus O’Brien, who has been in business for 25 years. “These are minute complaints.”

Deputy City Atty. Dan Ohl said the city had reviewed the Los Angeles Engineering’s state licenses prior to the protest and found they were in order.