RJO Attorneys Successfully Defend $70 Million Infrastructure Project Award

Drawing on their significant experience in both Government Contracts and Construction, RJO Shareholders Dennis Callahan and Mark Linderman successfully represented the Obayashi Corporation in a bid protest filed against the noticed award of one of the largest contracts ever solicited by the City of Santa Cruz, California.

The $70 million award is to replace the Newell Creek Dam Inlet/Outlet, a critical component of the City’s water supply. The next lowest bidder, Flatiron West, Inc., challenged Obayashi’s responsiveness to the Invitation for Bid on several grounds. RJO’s brief in intervention was cited by the City Staff and City Attorney’s Office in their recommendation to overrule the protest, and by Council Member, Sandy Brown, in her motion to reject the protest and approve the award to Obayashi.

On March 24, 2020, the Santa Cruz City Council unanimously denied the protest and confirmed the award to Obayashi.