Bloomfield veterans cemetery bids opened

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The three lowest bids for the contract to build a new state veterans cemetery at Bloomfield are all higher than the state's estimated project cost. However, a state official said that isn't necessarily cause for concern.

The Missouri Veterans Commission established the project cost at $4.53 million. The low bid of $4.91 million -- 8.2 percent higher than the estimate -- came from NJC Constructors.

The other competing bids are from Drury Construction Engineers Inc., $4.92 million, and Robinson Construction Co., $5.11 million.

The bids were unsealed Thursday by the Missouri Division of Design and Construction.

Ron Taylor, Veterans Commission superintendent of services and cemeteries, said the high bids shouldn't jeopardize the project.

"That is really kind of in the ballpark where we expected it to be," Taylor said. "I don't think we're in any real trouble."

Decision in three weeks

The commission had previously said the cemetery would cost between $5.5 million and $6 million. Taylor said that range included design fees, which is why it is higher than the official bid estimate.

Taylor said the commission will review the details of the bids, which weren't immediately available, in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is footing the bill for the project. A decision is expected within three weeks.

While the bids for the Bloomfield cemetery came in high, those for another cemetery in Jacksonville, which is located in northeast Missouri, all came in low. Both projects are on the same timetable.

The estimated cost for the Jacksonville cemetery is $4.37 million. Coral Construction bid of $4.11 million.

Construction at both sites is to begin this spring, and completed within 14 months.

The Bloomfield cemetery will be adjacent to the Stars and Stripes Museum and Library on a 65-acre site off of Highway 25. Honorably discharged veterans who lived in Missouri at any point in their lives will be eligible for burial there at no cost.