Sunland Park awards $1.63 million contract for second artificial-turf soccer field
Sunland Park City Council approved a $1.63 million contract for a second artificial-turf soccer field, including drainage, irrigation and safety improvements.
Nine Degrees Construction will build the new field and related improvements at the city's sports complex under a contract approved Oct. 20
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
SUNLAND PARK - Sunland Park is moving forward with construction of a second full-size artificial-turf soccer field after the City Council approved a $1.63 million contract for the project Tuesday, Oct. 20.
The council unanimously awarded the Sports Complex Artificial Soccer Field No. 2 Improvements Project to Nine Degrees Construction LLC, which submitted the lowest qualifying bid among five companies competing for the work.
The approved bid totals $1,625,624, excluding New Mexico gross receipts tax. It includes construction of the field along with drainage, concrete work, retaining walls, protective netting and irrigation improvements.
What the project includes
The new field will expand the city's existing sports complex with a second full-size artificial-turf playing surface. City Manager Mario Juarez-Infante told councilors the city had secured capital funding for the project and completed a competitive bidding process.
According to the bid documents, the main construction work includes preparing and grading the site, installing drainage systems, completing concrete improvements and laying synthetic turf. The project also calls for retaining walls and ball-stop netting to help keep soccer balls within the playing area.
The city approved an additional $107,600 in water-related improvements as part of the contract. That work includes water service connections, irrigation upgrades and devices designed to prevent water from flowing backward into the supply system.
The main construction bid was $1,518,024. Adding the water improvements brought Nine Degrees Construction's total to $1,625,624 before taxes.
Five companies submitted bids
Wilson & Company, the engineering firm overseeing the bidding process, received five bids during a public opening Sept. 15 at Sunland Park City Hall.
Nine Degrees Construction submitted the lowest qualifying offer at $1,625,624. Robert Cohen Co. followed at $1,789,435.30, while Highland Enterprises submitted a bid of $1,895,493.
Lone Mountain Contracting submitted a $1,994,607 bid without a separate price for the additional water improvements. G. Sandoval Construction submitted the highest total bid at $2,183,085.
Wilson & Company determined that four of the five bids met the project's requirements. G. Sandoval Construction's bid was disqualified because the company did not include a required list of subcontractors and suppliers.
The engineering firm recommended Nine Degrees Construction after confirming that the company held the required New Mexico contractor licenses and had an authorized insurance provider.
Council approves contract
During the Oct. 20 meeting, Wilson & Company representative Bridget Fuller explained the bidding process, reviewed the five offers and presented the firm's recommendation.
The council approved the award without extended discussion following the presentation.
The $1.63 million contract amount does not include New Mexico gross receipts tax, meaning the final tax-inclusive cost will be higher. The meeting documents reviewed did not establish a construction completion date.
The award moves Sunland Park another step toward expanding its sports facilities, with a second artificial-turf field and supporting infrastructure planned for the complex.
Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.
