LaGrotta seeks to have HUD nullify contract

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- State Rep. Frank LaGrotta has petitioned the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to nullify the contract given to A. General Maintenance of New Wilmington by the Lawrence County Housing Authority.
The Ellwood City Democrat contends that the bid for painting and lawn care was flawed. LaGrotta also asked HUD to investigate the conduct of the county housing authority board and its director, Robert Evanick.
HUD rejected A. General Maintenance's first bid on the job in April, because the company was the sole bidder.
A second call for bids went out and A. General Maintenance and Wecare Lawn Care of Youngstown submitted bids.
LaGrotta said Wecare did not have a required bid bond which should immediately nullify it from the process.
LaGrotta contends that makes A. General Maintenance the sole bidder again.
A news release from the housing authority states that the bid process conformed with HUD requirements and that A. General Maintenance was not the only bidder the second time.
A. General Maintenance was awarded a $236,133 painting contract and a $93,330 lawn-care contract.