Ocean county awards meal delivery contracts, extends plumbing services, and adjusts major construction projects
Photo: #post_seo_title

Ocean County awards meal delivery contracts, extends plumbing services, and adjusts major construction projects

TOMS RIVER, NJ – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners has approved several new bid awards and change orders totaling more than $100,000 during its latest public meeting, covering a range of public service and infrastructure projects.

The county awarded contracts for meal delivery, extended existing service agreements, and authorized financial adjustments for multiple ongoing construction projects, including major road and building improvements.

Driftwood Deli & Sub Shop LLC and Legacy Hospitality & Entertainment Group LLC were approved as the lowest qualified bidders for the county’s delivered meals contract (B2026-10). Several bid items deemed unresponsive — including items 25 through 56 — will be rebid, along with items 1 through 24, to expand the vendor pool for meal delivery services.

Contract extensions and rejections

The commissioners also approved a one-year contract extension with Timothy Peters Plumbing & Heating Co. Inc. to continue providing countywide plumbing services through March 2027.

However, all bids for the furnishing and delivery of miscellaneous groceries, frozen foods, and kitchen supplies were rejected under state purchasing law. Officials said the specifications for those contracts will be substantially revised before rebidding to better align with current operational needs.

Change orders for county construction projects

The board approved several change orders adjusting contract values on ongoing capital projects across Ocean County:

Justice Complex Annex – Ernest Bock & Sons, Inc. received an $85,328.63 contract increase (Change Order No. 13)
Cross Street Reconstruction, Lakewood – P & A Construction, Inc. received an increase of $24,403.87 (Change Order No. 7)
County Road Resurfacing Contract 2021D – Earle Asphalt Company received an increase of $16,757.97 (Change Order No. 2)
Manahawkin Lake Dam Rehabilitation, Stafford – Vulcan Construction Group, Inc. contract decreased by $27,810.38 (Change Order No. 1)
Dock Road Reconstruction, Eagleswood – Arawak Paving Company, Inc. contract decreased by $14.00 (Change Order No. 2)

Key points:
• Meal delivery contracts awarded to two local vendors; multiple bid items to be rebid
• Plumbing services contract extended through 2027
• Over $100,000 in construction adjustments approved, including major courthouse and roadway projects

County officials said the financial adjustments reflect standard project modifications and cost reconciliations as work progresses across multiple county facilities and infrastructure upgrades.

Shore News Network

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.