It's Scary When This Happens

By: Lowell
Published On: 2/19/2008 7:54:50 AM

I can't believe it, but I actually agree with Del. Joe May (R-Loudoun) about something.  It's scary, but check this out:

One small paragraph in a current version of the proposed state budget could force Virginia to effectively reset the floundering Dulles rail project.

An amendment to the proposed House of Delegates 2008 budget, which passed the House Appropriations Committee Sunday, directs Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer to "resolicit competitive proposals" for the rail project.

According to amendment author Del. Joe May (R-Loudoun), reworking the stalled project would get it moving again.

Now, I don't know if this amendment alone would get the Metro to Dulles project "moving again."  But, no matter what, competitive bidding is the right way to go on this multi-billion dollar public infrastructure project.  To date, I have been completely baffled at the deference to "Big Dig" Bechtel by many of our leaders. I have also been left scratching my head at the continued assertions that there has been competitive bidding on this project. Where's the competitive bidding?  I've looked and looked but can't find it. Maybe you'll have better luck: if you can locate any competitive bidding in here, please let us all know. Thanks!

Comments



Any idea if the amendment has a chance of approval ? (Tom Counts - 2/19/2008 12:48:52 PM)
Do you think Del. May's proposed amendment has a chance of clearing the committee ? If it does, is there any info. on whether his fellow Republican's might vote for the bill when it reaches the floor ?

I am of course very interested to know if there is even one Dem. delegate who might vote no in either committee or on the floor ? If there is even one Dem. "no" vote I'd want to follow the money and find out if the no voter(s) received any money either directly or indirectly from anyone associated with Bechtel or any of their sub-contractors.

Back to the basic point about whether forcing a competitive bid would start the project moving again: That's a resounding YES ! As you and I discussed via private e-mail not long ago, I am prepared to offer a proposal to Pierce Homer to assemble a team of my old Navy engineering, project mangement and construction agency friends to write a draft RFP for a legitimate competitive solicitation - at no cost to Va. until Homer has approved the first draft RFP. I'll provide more detail as soon as we know if the amended bill passes, including lobbying Gov. Kaine (with what I'd call an Executive Summary of my proposal) to sign it into law if necessary.