A recent ruling from the Tribunal De Apelaciones De Puerto Rico has dismissed a bid dispute involving A&M Solutions, LLC and the Municipio De Lajas. The court's decision, issued on September 8, 2026, found that A&M Solutions did not receive proper notification regarding the outcome of a municipal asphalt supply bid, leading to a lack of jurisdiction in the case.

This ruling affects A&M Solutions, which sought to contest the decision made by the Junta de Subastas (Bidding Board) of the Municipio De Lajas. The outcome is significant as it underscores the importance of proper notification procedures in municipal bidding processes, which are designed to ensure transparency and fairness in government contracts.

Background

The dispute arose from a municipal bidding process initiated by the Municipio De Lajas for the supply of asphalt. On March 3, 2026, the municipality issued a general notice for the bid, inviting proposals from interested companies. A&M Solutions, along with two other bidders, submitted their proposals by the deadline of April 8, 2026. The initial notification on June 23, 2026, indicated that A&M Solutions had won the bid.

However, on July 16, 2026, the Junta de Subastas issued a correction stating that the previous notification was sent in error. Following this correction, A&M Solutions filed a review request against the decision. On August 14, 2026, the court dismissed the initial appeal due to a lack of jurisdiction, citing issues with the notification process. The Junta was instructed to provide a new notification, which was issued on August 18, 2026, stating that the bid had been awarded to Transporte Rodríguez Asfalto, Inc., not A&M Solutions.

The Ruling

The Tribunal De Apelaciones ruled against A&M Solutions, stating that the appeal was dismissed due to a lack of jurisdiction stemming from improper notification. The court emphasized that the notification did not meet the legal requirements outlined in the Código Municipal de Puerto Rico. As stated in the opinion, "la parte recurrente no fue notificada adecuadamente, según exige el Código Municipal," meaning the appellant was not properly notified as required by municipal law.

The court noted that the Junta de Subastas failed to provide essential details in the notification, such as the timeline for judicial review and the criteria used for bid evaluation. The ruling was made by a panel including Judge Lebrón Nieves, Judge Rivera Torres, and Judge Cruz Hiraldo, with Judge Lebrón Nieves serving as the ponente, or lead judge.

Impact

This ruling has broader implications for municipal bidding processes in Puerto Rico. It highlights the necessity for government agencies to adhere strictly to notification requirements to ensure that all bidders are adequately informed of the outcomes of their proposals. The court's decision reinforces the legal framework governing public contracts, emphasizing that transparency and adherence to procedural norms are essential to maintaining public trust in government operations.

For A&M Solutions, the dismissal means that the company cannot contest the bid award to Transporte Rodríguez Asfalto, Inc., at least under the current appeal. The ruling may also discourage other companies from pursuing legal challenges in similar circumstances unless they can ensure compliance with notification standards.

What's Next

A&M Solutions may consider reapplying for the bid in future opportunities, as the ruling does not prevent them from participating in upcoming municipal contracts. However, details regarding any potential appeals or related cases were not available in the court filing.