Shakedown

REVIEW SUMMARY
What. Hillsborough County bid process questioned.
Issue. Is price negotiation method illegal, unethical or not?
Impact. Taxpayers benefit, but contractors feel squeezed.

A year after the $10.2 million contract for construction of the Hillsborough County East County Courthouse in Plant City was awarded to Manhattan Kraft Construction, controversy reins regarding how the county selects and negotiates to award such contracts.

Leading contractors, including representatives of Tampa-based Manhattan Kraft and EMJAY Constructors, who both represent trade group Associated Builders and Contractors, argue that instead of using one of two methods prescribed by state statutes to choose construction managers, the county is using an unethical hybrid approach.