The rule
Sealed bids solicited by public notice are mandatory for supplies, materials, equipment and construction over $175,000. Kenyon advertises three weeks in the Kenyon Leader and on QuestCDN, takes electronic bids with a 5 percent bond, opens them publicly at City Hall, and awards to the lowest responsible bidder by resolution. Professional services are exempt at any amount.
Authority: Minn. Stat. 471.345 subd. 3 (sealed bids over $175,000); 412.311 (ten days' publication); 429.041 (three weeks for improvements over $350,000; council may reject all bids); 574.26 (bonds); the May 12, 2025 engineer's letter on responsiveness.
How it runs in Kenyon
- Council adopts a resolution approving plans and specifications and ordering the advertisement for bids, fixing the deadline and 5 percent bid security.
- Advertisement runs in the Leader and on QuestCDN the same day; bid documents are available only through QuestCDN ($50 download; a bidder must be on the plan-holders list).
- Electronic bids only, before the stated hour (10 or 11 a.m.), with the proposal bond.
- Public opening at the administrator's office, 709 2nd Street.
- Bolton & Menk prepares the abstract of bids and a recommendation letter; Kennedy & Graven reviews any contested award.
- Council awards by resolution at the next regular meeting, chooses alternates, authorizes the mayor and administrator to sign; performance and payment bonds under Minn. Stat. 574.26.
- The council may reject all bids and re-advertise; it did so on June 10, 2025 after a nonresponsive low bid.
What a vendor sends
- Register on QuestCDN and download the documents; only plan holders' bids are accepted.
- Bid exactly on the form: every unit price filled. ICON's 2025 low bid was rejected for moving cost from unit prices into lump sums.
- Carry the 5 percent bid bond and be ready to bond performance and payment on award.
- Expect three-week advertising and award at the next regular meeting, so plan six to eight weeks from ad to notice to proceed.
Every award in this band
| Date | Item | Process | Awarded to | Amount | Bidders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-08 | Lead Service Line Replacement design | future sealed bid | pending | — | B&M scope incl. bid opening + PFA |
| 2025-07-08 | 2025 Street & Utility Improvements bid 2 | sealed | Fitzgerald Excavating | $2,294,629 | Fitzgerald $2,294,629.25; BCM $2,423,525.98; Alcon $2,426,712.04; Heselton $2,653,939.05; … |
| 2025-05-13 | 2025 Street & Utility Improvements bid 1 | sealed | ALL REJECTED June 10 2025 | — | ICON $2,313,649.71 (nonresponsive); BCM $2,306,652.41; Wencl $2,412,395; Heselton $2,450,8… |
| 2023-06-13 | 2023 Street Improvements | sealed | Bituminous Materials Inc | $450,694 | Bituminous Materials $450,693.95; Crane Creek $463,585.62; SL Contracting $535,437.60; est… |
| 2023-06-13 | 2023 Pearl Creek Sanitary Sewer & Gates Ave | sealed | BCM Construction | $1,241,494 | BCM $1,241,494.22; Minger $1,327,721.90; Heselton $1,385,155.00; est $1,536,065 |
From the council record 2019–2026; each item links to its contract page with the proposal documents. Items without a recorded amount are placed by process.