Columbia Borough awards $116,000 electric contract for Makle Park Phase 1 despite initial concerns

Makle Park 

Columbia Borough has voted 5-0 to award a $116,000 electrical contract to Delaware Environmental Construction Services (DECS) for the Makle Park Phase 1 improvements project, following initial concerns about the contractor. The electric contract attracted three bids, with DECS submitting the low bid of $116,000. (Councilors Eric Kauffman and Peter Stahl were absent for the vote.)

The contract is the second of two for Makle Park Phase 1. Council voted to award the first contract, for site improvements, to H&P Construction on June 10, 2025. H&P submitted a base bid of $272,224.13, emerging as the lowest bidder among five companies, as Columbia Spy reported HERE.

The contract awards are part of a larger $538,224 investment in Makle Park improvements for fiscal year 2025. The project benefits from substantial grant funding.

The improvements are being funded through the Makle Park Improvements account, which currently maintains a balance of $597,875. After this expenditure, approximately $59,651 will remain in the account.

Bids for the project were received on May 30, 2025. YSM Landscape Architects initially expressed concerns about DECS's low bid in a letter dated June 10, 2025, which led to an additional vetting process.

However, in a recommendation letter dated June 19, 2025, YSM reported that most of DECS's references related to site work rather than electrical projects. The electrical work references centered on Daryn Grice, who will serve as project manager for the Makle Park contract.

"Through phone calls and documents submitted with the bid, we understand Daryn Grice of DECS will be the project manager for the project," YSM stated in their letter to Columbia Borough Manager Steven Kaufhold.

Additional reference checks by YSM revealed one unfavorable reference, but the other contacts gave "very positive" feedback about both Grice and DECS's capabilities.

Moving forward, YSM will issue a Notice of Award to Delaware Environmental Construction Services and request the necessary performance and payment bonds and insurance certificates.