A proposed decommissioning study of downtown’s Martin Drake Power Plant inched forward Friday when a new task force signed off on the qualifications that bidders for the review will have to meet.“That’s our victory from today’s meeting,” City Councilwoman Lisa Czelatdko, task force co-chair, said afterward.Czelatdko said a request for qualifications from firms interested in conducting the study will be issued after a few minor changes by the 11-member task force are made.Task force members, who met as a group for the first time Friday, debated whether firms should be required to have annual revenues exceeding $1 million or $10 million.The lesser amount would open the bidding to more firms, including “boutique” firms. But Glenn Machos, a Colorado Springs Utilities employee who works in procurement, warned that the task force could get inundated with responses.Member Dan Malinaric, managing director and site manager for Atmel Corp., advocated for the higher amount, saying the firm selected to perform the study will “add a lot of credibility” to the process.“I’m good with $10 million,” he said. “It doesn’t seem very much to me.”Another member, Sarah Brittain Jack, a political consultant and former executive director of the El Paso County Republican Party, also pushed for the higher amount.“I would want to have the very best,” she said.The task force settled on a $5 million threshold. Firms also will be required to have at least three studies of similar size and scope under their belt to qualify to bid.—Contact Daniel Chacón: 476-1623Twitter @danieljchaconFacebook Daniel Chacon

A loader moves coal outside Colorado Springs Utilities’ Drake Power Plant in Colorado Springs Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, toward the hopper that will transport the fuel into the power plant. (Christian Murdock, The Gazette) Photo by mbr

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