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Council approves SLAM contract for school'planning; authorizes kiln procurement and moves emergency CTE work forward
Summary
Council authorized SLAM Architectural Services for Stage 2 work on Smithfield Public Schools (not to exceed $205,400), approved advertising for two kilns funded by a grant, and heard details on a proposed emergency culinary CTE upgrade that staff say could be completed this summer under RIDE timelines.
The Smithfield Town Council on March 18 approved a negotiated cost proposal from SLAM Architectural Services not to exceed $205,400 to complete Stage 2 planning and related work for Smithfield Public Schools, and authorized the school department to advertise requests for proposals to purchase and install two kilns at the high school using grant funds.
Patrick Robler of Collier's Project Leaders, the school project OPM, told the council SLAM's $70,900 fee covers two emergency projects spanning two fiscal years and is reimbursable by RIDE (Rhode Island Department of Education) at a 35% rate; the $123,000 Stage 2 fee covers planning for up to $4.33 million of estimated work. Robler and school staff said RIDE has reviewed the project timeline and believes the emergency culinary work could be completed this summer, allowing the high school to operate an approved CTE culinary program in the coming school year.
"The emergency projects can be reimbursed by RIDE," Robler said, explaining that Smithfield will submit eligible costs to RIDE and that the design fee is reimbursable at the 35% rate. Superintendent and school staff said they also sought a separate $11,500 cost for a 10-year facilities estimate; that item is not reimbursable by RIDE.
School staff described the first emergency project as abatement, adding drains and sloping the floor and installing a handwashing sink so the culinary space meets minimum RIDE CTE requirements. Robler and school officials told the council they expect abatement and related work can be completed during the summer break; they acknowledged the timeline is aggressive but said contractors and consultants consulted by the OPM view it as feasible.
The council approved the SLAM contract by motion (voice vote) and authorized the schools to advertise the kiln procurement. Councilors and staff discussed mitigation if bids or schedules make the timeline infeasible: design fees would be paid even if construction did not proceed, but construction would not begin without further approvals and advertised bids.
The council also approved several School Department-related procurement items on the agenda, including authorizing requests for proposals for an impact-fee study and other education-related planning steps.
