On Dec. 12, a judge extended a temporary restraining order against bidding for construction at Giti Tire’s new plant in Chester County, S.C., after the court heard arguments about whether Chester County followed state and its own procurement procedures. Five bids will remain in limbo as the judge determines if the county followed correct procedure.
Earlier this month, a circuit court judge issued a ruling prohibiting the county from continuing its bidding process under the terms established by its chief procurement officer, according to the Rock Hill Herald.
A lawsuit from Richardson Construction Co. claims it has been unfairly excluded from the bidding process because the county only accepted bids from the top five companies derived from a points system by the procurement office, Rock Hill Herald reported. The company said such “pre-qualification” violates both state and county policy for handling bids.
A spokesman for Giti Tire said the company could not comment on the pending case.
While the lawsuit pulls into question when Giti will be able to break ground on its new facility, the tiremaker recently signed an agreement for the land.
