Norwich committee approves multiple subcontract awards, accepts roof‑screening alternates and infrastructure for digital signs

The Norwich School Building Committee on Friday reviewed bid tabulations for the Stanton and Greenville school projects, recommended a set of early trade awards to keep construction on schedule, and voted to accept rooftop screening alternates for both schools and to install infrastructure for future digital signs.

The committee’s review followed a May 19 public bidding process. Frank (project representative) told members the team received robust coverage across most trade packages and is recommending 11 subcontractors for immediate award on the critical-path packages so work can begin on site and foundations. "We took bids on the nineteenth," Frank said, summarizing the bid tabulation and the group’s scope‑review process. He added the team will continue scope reviews next week for remaining trades and may rebid packages that produced weak competition.

The recommended awards include site work, concrete, structural steel, masonry, roofing (Greenville only), mechanical, electrical, plumbing, communications/security, elevators and other critical trades. Frank noted one concrete low bidder withdrew after identifying specification omissions (insulation under slab and union driver requirements); the committee was recommended to award that package to Capaso Enterprises after scope clarification. He also said SteelTech and United Steel were both acceptable for structural steel, but taking an add alternate for roof screening affects which firm is the low bidder on Stanton.

Committee members discussed overall cost implications. Frank and staff emphasized the numbers shown in the bid snapshot represent direct trade bid totals only, not the full project cost. Frank noted the trade bids collectively were approximately $2,727,144.75 below the construction estimate on the bid tabulation’s middle scenario, but cautioned that figure excludes soft costs and general conditions. Mike (staff) added that the team had carried a bid contingency and escalation allowance into estimates to protect the project when packages came in over estimate.

On alternates, the committee voted to accept rooftop screening (alternate 5) for both Stanton and Greenville. The Stanton screening alternate had two competing alternate prices on the tabulation (United Steel quoted an alternate of $217,000 while SteelTech quoted $136,000), and Frank warned that acceptance of the screening alternate would change which structural steel bidder is lowest on Stanton. Later in discussion the committee recorded the screening cost for Stanton as a larger assembled figure (discussed by members as roughly $480,000) and the screening cost for Greenville as $414,650; the committee proceeded to approve the screening alternate at each school.

Members also agreed to include conduit/infrastructure for future digital signs as part of the site work rather than buying full digital signs now. Frank and Greg (project design team) said the base bid likely already included a pathway, and Lirrero (site contractor) provided a $5,000 indicator for conduit work; the committee approved installing the conduit so a sign could be added later without re‑excavating the site. "That passes unanimously of those present and voting," Peter Gauthier said after the infrastructure motion.

Other alternates discussed — including expanded concrete curbing and tennis‑court fencing upgrades — were deferred for future decisions. Committee members noted the concrete curbing would increase durability but agreed it could wait until the GMP and broader budget discussions are finalized. The team recommended rebidding the general trades, millwork and specialties packages (two packages had weak competition) and carrying allowances in the GMP for those packages so work can proceed while the team refines final values and returns any savings to owner contingency.

The committee approved the Letters of Authorization (LOAs) required to proceed with the recommended awards, noting that dollar figures will be updated as alternates (screening) are incorporated into the LOA amounts. The meeting concluded with the committee adjourning; the team said a regular meeting is scheduled for May 15, when members expect additional updates and a potential GMP amendment.

Votes at a glance - Motion to include conduit/infrastructure for future digital signs (infrastructure only): approved unanimously of those present; mover not specified, seconded by Sheila Hayes. - Alternate 5 (roof screening), Stanton: approved (vote recorded as 5 yes, 2 no). Recorded yes votes include Peter Gauthier, Joe DeLucia, Cindy Beauregard, Christine DiSazio and Greg Bellassie; no votes recorded for Mark Kullos and Bill Hull. - Alternate 5 (roof screening), Greenville: approved unanimously of those present (motion by Joe DeLucia; seconded by Christine DiSazio). - Letters of Authorization (LOAs) to proceed with recommended awards for Greenville and Stanton (amounts to be adjusted for accepted alternates): approved (motions and seconds recorded on the transcript; committee voted to accept LOAs as amended).

Why it matters: Accepting early trade awards and the rooftop screening alternates moves both school projects closer to construction while preserving the committee’s ability to manage budget exposures through contingency, GMP allowances and rebidding of weak packages. Installing conduit now preserves the option to add digital signs later without significant site work.

What’s next: The project team will finish remaining scope reviews next week, finalize any rebids for general trades/millwork/specialties, update LOA contract values to reflect accepted alternates, and return to the committee with a GMP package and schedule updates at the May 15 meeting.