Board awards $115,004.61 contract for helical piers on LHS cafeteria project

The District 128 Board of Education on Aug. 25 awarded a supplemental construction contract of $115,004.61 to Safeguard Waterproofing Ram Jack Illinois to install helical piers at the Libertyville High School cafeteria project.

Why it matters: The additional work was required after site crews encountered deeper soil conditions than anticipated for the cafeteria servery and courtyard foundation, increasing the scope and cost beyond the original contract threshold.

District staff said excavation revealed the need to dig deeper to support the structure and that the additional work exceeded the 10% threshold for the affected trade, so the district rebid that portion as additional work. Two contractors submitted bids; the low bidder was the on-site contractor Safeguard Waterproofing Ram Jack Illinois at $115,004.61.

The board approved the award by roll call. Staff said the additional work is necessary to meet structural requirements for the cafeteria foundation and that the award follows bid procedures for change orders beyond the contract threshold.

What happens next: The contractor will perform the helical-pier work and district staff will oversee the supplemental scope under project management procedures.