Bids for construction of the new Butler County Prison keep the project under $40 million, according to preliminary estimates.

The bids for the remaining six contracts needed to complete construction at the South Washington Street site were opened Tuesday afternoon.

Following the openings, Butler County Controller Jack McMillin said the total prison cost, factoring in the low bidders, would be around $39 million.

McMillin's estimate includes around $32 million for contracts yet to be awarded, $4.7 million already spent on the project — including sewer and phone lines — and a total of $2.3 million owed to architect L. Robert Kimball & Associates, construction manager Massaro Corp. and Mosites Construction, which is the building foundation contractor.

Although the bids appear to keep the project within the latest cost estimate of $39.5 million, that price is around $10 million more than the original budget for the work. County officials previously said money was available to be diverted, making up the difference.

Associated costs that have yet to be determined, including parking for the new building, are not included in the estimate.

However, the price tag could be less if the scope of work is reduced. Each of the six bid packages includes alternates that enable the county to lower costs.

For example, the general contractor would be paid less if the new prison's third floor weren't completed. Currently housing fewer than 300 inmates, officials don't expect to need the new prison's more than 500-inmate capacity immediately upon opening.

Going by base bids alone, AG Cullen Construction of Pittsburgh is the low bidder at $21.9 million. The company also has the best price for alternates. By not completing the third floor, $807,000 would be deducted from that price.

Before an official low bidder is determined, the county must decide on what alternates, if any, are used with each bid package.

Other items that can be altered from the design are having concrete floors instead of tiles in many rooms, not installing a folding partition in the classroom and the amount of interior signage.

The remaining low bidders using only the base bids are:

- Clista Electrical in Pittsburgh for electrical work at $3.1 million

- Enders Plumbing & Heating in Kittanning for fire protection at $2.8 million

- Wayne Crouse of Pittsburgh for ventilation at $2.5 million

- Commercial Appliance Contracts of Grove City for food service equipment at $709,403

- Otis of Pittsburgh for conveyance, or elevators, at $572,500

- Super Laundry of Ambridge for laundry appliances at $154,358.

Pat Stone of Massaro said all of the bids would be reviewed to ensure they meet the necessary requirements.

The earliest the county commissioners could award contracts is Jan. 18. Solicitor Julie Graham said it was more likely to be done either at a special meeting later this month or in February.

The bid prices are good for 60 days from Tuesday. If the county doesn't award contracts by then, the companies are not legally bound to those prices.

Commissioners Scott Lowe, chairman, and Jim Kennedy expressed relief that the bids are under the latest estimates. Commissioner Glenn Anderson was absent.