[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

I think we're spending a reasonable amount for maintenance, but not getting a quality product. So we need to either "get more for our money" or, spend more of it. I'm for the former, rather than the latter.

I've been trying not to get too deep in the weeds, but ...

The Contracting criteria, is sort of (IMO) slanted towards continuing to use the same contractors, year after year. Once you're "in" with The Villages, you're IN!

I'll give you a specific example. In order to bid on the Pimilco renovation job (Bid opening is next week), a company needs "10 years of golf course construction experience". I suspect the bidders are going to be the same guys who have worked for TV for the last 20 years. Hardly anyone else is qualified to bid.

Why does the company need 10 years of golf course building experience?

"Renovating" a golf course is way different than "building" a golf course. You have an existing golf course, that you're removing the grass and sand, then replacing it. Presumably, with an Architect's Plan and associated specific contract, that spells out exactly what has to be done and how to do it.

That job isn't brain surgery ... it's a site contractor's job. There's no thinking or design work involved ... you only need to know how to read plans and specifications, and move dirt.

I suggested: "instead of 10 years building golf courses", why not open the bidding up to site contractors, with a requirement that there's an approved, on-site superintendent on the job at all times, and that person has to have actual golf course construction/maintenance experience. That opens the bidding up to a lot more contractors. A smart site contractor would bid that job and then go hire a Super from a quality private course and bring him in to run the renovation job.

I'll be curious to see how many "golf course construction" companies bid the Pimilco job.

I suspect the job will go to the same people who have made a mess of our courses.

If this was me the current supplier would not be allowed to bid.