Port hits pause to review sole source contract for aquarium designs

The Port of Olympia Commission tabled a sole source contract with MIG Architecture, the target firm which would design the aquarium exhibits at the planned Marine Waterfront Center.

The commission’s decision on Monday, June 12, was in deference to General Legal Counsel Rick Hughes, who wanted to study whether the contract had justification for sole sourcing.

Executive Services Director Lisa Parks explained that Port staff is supportive of MIG for two reasons: that the Puget Sound Estuarium, which will be operating the aquarium space, recommends the firm; and because the construction of aquariums is a highly specialized undertaking in which MIG has experience.

Parks said that she was not certain whether they already had a document justifying why they had to do sole sourcing and bypass competitive bidding.

“A sole source justification is typically a memo that is written from the contract administrator to the executive director,” Parks explained.

“I can't guarantee you that's been done largely because there's been this period of time where we've been talking about these contracts for a while,” Parks added.

Port staff would now be working to confirm or complete a sole source justification for the contract before returning it to the commission.

The contract is for the amount of $75,000 and runs until the end of 2023. As part of their services, they would develop design documents which Port staff aim to present to the commission within the year before moving ahead with the schematic design.

MIG would also develop the design and programming for associated classrooms and laboratory space. Parks said that around a third of the Marine Waterfront Center would be dedicated to the Puget Sound Estuarium.

Port approves contract amendment for Marine Waterfront Center designers

Meanwhile, the commission approved an amendment to a contract with Thomas Architecture Studios, which is designing the entire Marine Waterfront Center.

The planned building, which the Port looks to construct near the Swantown Marina, would be two to three stories and house the new marina and Port administration offices. The building would also have a multi-purpose community event center.

The amendment adds $180,000 to the contract, raising the contract’s limit to $380,000, and extends the contract until the end of 2023. Before the amendment, the contract had a remaining balance of $46,600.

The firm is currently working on the schematic design of the building. The remainder of the work associated with this phase of the project includes site planning, integration of Pudget Sound Estuarium’s programming needs, and development of financing strategies.

Port Commissioner Amy Evans Harding abstained from voting as she has been vocal against additional plans beyond merely relocating the administrative offices.

“I support the marina getting a new building. I do not support the expanded scope of the building as we've talked about. But I think that it's great that [Port staff is] moving forward with finding something that will work,” Evans Harding said.