Gary Renner knows he can do the engineering work needed for city construction projects. He just wants a chance to prove it.

The president of Renner & Associates of Rapid City is questioning the process used by the city in awarding contracts for engineering and design services for street and other infrastructure projects. Aldermen Ron Weifenbach and Sam Kooiker are pushing for a review of the system, an idea that was backed by Renner.

Renner said he respects the city staff. But after watching other firms get engineering contracts he felt his firm was well-qualified to handle, he also hopes the system will be thoroughly examined.

"I guess what it boils down to is that in 38 years I haven't been able to figure out how to interview," he said Monday. "Some firms have people on their staff who specialize in doing the interviews and getting the work. We focus on the engineering and don't get into the Power Point and all that stuff."

City public works director Robert Ellis didn't return a Journal phone call Monday. But Ellis has said that the presentations by engineering firms selected to interview with a city consultant-selection committee are an important part of deciding which are best suited for individual jobs.

Ellis denies that there's any favorite group of firms on a city list. He said in an e-mail to Renner that the city has awarded professional services contracts to 55 firms in the last five years. Only 61 have submitted statements of interest on city engineering and design contracts, Ellis said.

Renner said that includes all the professional services contracts, including architectural firms for buildings and landscaping designers. But if it's narrowed just to just civil engineering services most jobs go to a few firms, he said.

Renner & Associates has 10 employees, including three engineers. That's a fairly typical size among engineering firms around town, Renner said. He believes the firm is every bit as qualified to get contracts as the firms that end up getting those contracts.

Weifenbach wants the city council to review the process, including the policy of awarding engineering contracts without taking bids. He has asked for that review and also supports a request by Kooiker to convene a city consultant-selection oversight committee to look at the process.

"Gary's not the only person who has said there's an issue with it. If there's a perception that there's something wrong we've either got to, A, prove that nothing's wrong or, B, that we have to change something," Weifenbach said.

The no-bid nature of the professional contracts also needs examination, he said.

"I have to further my understanding of why, with everything else being equal, price is never a consideration," he said.

Kooiker helped shape the current selection process, which includes the oversight committee. With the concerns of Renner and others, it's time for that committee to convene, he said.

"They haven't convened in a long time, in part because they really haven't been any concerns in the last couple of years," Kooiker said. "The oversight committee was designed especially for situations just like this. This is the perfect time to use it."

Contact Kevin Woster at 394-8413 or kevin.woster@rapidcityjournal.com