MidAmerica Vendor Squabble Ended in Stalemate
MidAmerica Airport's headaches have included more than operating deficits and the aviation industry's post 9-11 slump.
They've also included a long-running dispute with a vendor named BIFS Technologies Corp. of Sarasota, Fla.
In November 2000, the county Public Building Commission -- which oversees the airport -- entered into a contract with BIFS to set up a system to get rid of airplane de-icing fluids, according to the commission's March 2004 federal lawsuit against the firm.
BIFS' system was special because it is based on a patented method that uses bacteria to convert glycol and solvents into methane and carbon dioxide for safe disposal.
But things soon went south with the BIFS contract, resulting in a series of disputes that culminated in a federal lawsuit the commission filed against the vendor in March 2004.
Filed in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis, the commission's complaint sought $144,000 in damages, plus interest, attorney fees and other costs, according to the complaint.
BIFS responded a month later with a counter-claim against the commission. In August 2005, both parties agreed to dismiss the actions, with each side paying its own legal fees.
Bernard Ysursa, the commission lawyer, could not be reached and BIFS did not return calls.
According to the commission's federal lawsuit, BIFS breached its contract by failing to set up the promised remediation system. The firm also failed to provide a certificate of insurance as required under the contract.
In its counter-claim, BIFS alleged the county reneged on its part of the deal by failing to provide electricity for its de-icing system.
In addition, the county wrongly forced BIFS to provide de-icing services to military aircraft at the adjacent Scott Air Force Base, another contract breach, according to the counterclaim.
Tim Cantwell, MidAmerica's director, said he could not comment on the lawsuit. But Cantwell said he is much more pleased with the vendor that took BIFS's place -- the city of Mascoutah.
"I can honestly tell you it's a thousand times better," Cantwell said of the airport's relationship with Mascoutah. "The relationship we have right now is absolutely the best solution we could ever have any time."
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