At its Aug. 14 action meeting the North Penn School District Board of School Directors approved awards for Bid Package 2 of the North Penn High School construction and renovation project, authorizing multiple prime contracts described in the bid tabulation and funding the work from the district's high school construction fund.

The board voted to enter contracts after a staff presentation detailing the apparent low bidders and recommended alternates. "Penn was the lowest at just over $67,000,000," CHA representative Mister Lynch said of the general-construction bid for the package the consultant described as the second phase of the high school project. Lynch also told the board the overall package estimate was roughly $110 million and that the total remained "well within 2% of the budget number."

Why it matters: Board members and administrators said the work is the central, complex phase of a multi-year renovation intended to keep high-school programs operating while construction proceeds. The project will proceed in pods so portions of the school remain in use during construction.

Key contract results and recommended alternates presented to the board included: Penn Builders (general construction; apparent low bid ~ $67,000,000) with three deduct alternates (a $1,000,000 credit for a district-familiar single-ply roofing product; a $104,000 credit for vinyl base in lieu of terrazzo base; and a credit for painted-steel guardrails instead of glass); Tri County Mechanical (HVAC; apparent low bid just over $18,500,000) with a $112,000 add alternate to extend equipment warranties by 12 months beyond the contractor's standard 12-month warranty; Westcott Electric (electrical; apparent low bid ~ $16,000,000) with a recommended $20,000 ad alternate for unclassified excavation (an insurance-like allowance if rock is encountered); JBM Mechanical (plumbing; apparent low bid just over $8,000,000) with a $10,000 unclassified-excavation alternate and a $35,000 deduction for use of PEX piping on domestic water lines under 2 inches; and Plymouth Environmental (environmental/asbestos abatement; single responsive bidder; abatement came in above the project estimate and is being recommended for award).

CHA and district staff described the alternates as tools to manage price risk and long-term maintenance costs (for example, choosing a roofing product with warranty coverage that includes parapet flashing and metal copings). Lynch told the board that single-ply roofing products in the bid carry 30-year warranties and that the product recommended is already in use elsewhere in the district.

Board members asked questions about material longevity, warranty coverage and phasing. "We have great confidence in the system," Lynch said when asked about roofing durability and warranty scope. Staff explained the phasing plan will bring the APOD addition first, followed by successive pod renovations so each renovated area has its own central plant and electrical service during construction.

The board approved the awards by voice vote after the presentation. "All in favor, say aye," a board member called; "Aye. There are no opposed. Motion passes," the chair said.

Ending: District officials said informational materials for families about circulation, routing and the temporary classrooms will be released before school starts, and that some phases will continue to change through the school year as pods are turned back to instruction.