Bravo Security or Bravo Event Services based in Boring, Oregon (the same security people that handles the concerts out at Deer Island) was awarded the bid to contract part of the security team for the Columbia County fair this year 2006. What I find interesting is the way that this company was awarded the contract.

The fair administrator sent out bid requests on May 25, 2006 to Ace Event, Columbia County Sheriffs Posse, Coast to Coast, Ask Security, Advanced Security, Bravo Security. The closing date for the received bids was marked for June 16, 2006.

The fair received only two bids one bid was from Reliant Security. Reliant Security was not listed on the original document as being a company who received bid requests, from the fair administrator. The second bid was received from Bravo Security on May 30, 2006.

At the regular monthly fair board meeting held June 12, 2006 the board carried on business as usual until they came to the security bids. The fair board proceeded to discuss the two bids that were submitted. Discussing that Reliant Security presented an hourly rate but no total cost and Bravo Security had given both an hourly rate and a total cost.

The fair board commented that they were surprised that they had not received a bid from the Columbia County Sheriffs Pose.

It is highly irregular and illegal to open and discuss bids prematurely before the closing date. (Closing date June 16, 2006) The fair board knew very well when the closing date was. In the fair boards letter to the Sheriffs Pose they explicitly state that the fair board needs written response to their request for bid no later than June 16, 2006.

I find the actions of the fair board suspect in the award of the security contracts. Another twist to the events is the discussion at the June 26, 2006 Fair Board meeting where the security bid issue was once again discussed. The board reviewed the 2 bids that they received (Reliant Security and Bravo Security)" Quote" Evelyn Hudson board member motioned that in order to stay with in budget and due to ongoing negations that we have the Sheriffs Pose perform a portion of the security and award the remainder of the contract to Brave Security. Motion carried. The Fair Board directed staff to contact the Sheriffs Pose to see what type of manpower they might have available.

I find it confusing and somewhat irregular to award a bid to an entity that has not submitted a bid. In my opinion the Fair Board has acted inappropriate and unethical, I understand that some of the board members do not know the ends and outs of accepting bids and awarding bids but I do understand that there are board members that do understand the appropriate steps in doing business. In my opinion people who sit on boards should take the time to educate themselves on the correct way to execute business matters. The long standing board members should provide the leadership that is needed to carry on the legal doings of the fair.

With the kind of business that is being conducted and carried out by the Fair Board there could be possible litigation issues that could arise from the incorrect business practices that this board is displaying. I would hope that the Fair Board would take the necessary steps in making sure that they do not violate statue in the future. Careless actions such as opening bids before the closing date or awarding contracts to entity's' that has not placed bids could possibly cost the taxpayers of Columbia County untold dollars.

Cost of Bravo Security for Columbia County Fair, July 2006  $7,910.00

Cost of Sheriffs Pose???? I had requested all security bids and contracts submitted and awarded including board minutes for two months. Since the Sheriffs Pose did not submit a bid, their security cost was not made available to me.