The Veterans Affairs Central Iowa Health Care System announced the winning bid for grounds maintenance in Knoxville last week. Now Iowa moving companies are appealing the VA's decision claiming the agency didn't pick the lowest bidder or anyone in the business.
Crossroads Hall was awarded the bid at $871,000. The VA called it a "best value" bid. Other contractors don't agree. "$871,000 to do the grounds is an astronomical figure, period. I don't care how they justify it," says Dave Lovell, owner of Dave & the Boys mowing service.
Lovell made an offer of $268,000. "We think we gave a fair and honest bid," he says. When questioned about its decision, the VA told him the number of hours he expected to spend on the job were too low and wouldn't be enough to mow and trim the location. He has since filed a protest with the VA. "The government may as well cut a check for $500,000 and give it to them 'cuz basically they're doing the job the same as anybody else, they're just getting $500,000 more to do it," says Lovell.
Crossroads Hall is an events hall owned by Brenda Davis. She could not be reached for comment.
Crossroads Hall was awarded the bid at $871,000. The VA called it a "best value" bid. Other contractors don't agree. "$871,000 to do the grounds is an astronomical figure, period. I don't care how they justify it," says Dave Lovell, owner of Dave & the Boys mowing service.
Lovell made an offer of $268,000. "We think we gave a fair and honest bid," he says. When questioned about its decision, the VA told him the number of hours he expected to spend on the job were too low and wouldn't be enough to mow and trim the location. He has since filed a protest with the VA. "The government may as well cut a check for $500,000 and give it to them 'cuz basically they're doing the job the same as anybody else, they're just getting $500,000 more to do it," says Lovell.
Crossroads Hall is an events hall owned by Brenda Davis. She could not be reached for comment.
