For the first time in school district history, two construction contractors made exactly the same bid on a school project. W.A. Thomas Co. Inc. and Designed Building Systems Inc. were both bidding on a modernization package at Vista Grande Elementary School in Danville, which includes a reconfiguration of the front parking lot, preparation for the building pad for a new multi-purpose room, and relocation of electrical services to accommodate modernization.
In an unexpected turn of events, both construction companies put in the same exact bid of $559,000. Steven Bautista, senior project manager for the school district, said in all his seven years with the district he has never seen two contractors make the exact same bid. Even statewide it’s extremely rare for the low bidders to make exactly the same bid, he said.
By the law, the district must choose the lowest bidder. In the event of a tie, the district makes its decision based on a coin toss.
Hence, representatives from W.A. Thomas and Designed Building Systems attended the most recent school board meeting to toss a coin to see who would be awarded the bid. Designed Building chose heads and the coin ended up tails. Just like that, the bid was awarded to W.A. Thomas.
