After months of delay from protests by both bidders and subsequent investigations into the numerous claims, Miami-Dade County on May 20 awarded the program and construction-management contract for a $1.6-billion, federally mandated sewer-system repair project to AECOM Technical Services. The award came nearly 11 months after AECOM and sole competitor CH2M Hill submitted their proposals—and more than eight months after the county first moved to hire CH2M Hill.
The claims and counterclaims started when AECOM alleged CH2M Hill violated county rules and practices when it submitted material directly to county officials prior to an August presentation. With CH2M Hill ranked as the top choice, Miami-Dade's Internal Services Dept. on Sept. 6 sought authorization to negotiate the contract with the firm.