Board reviews $71,661 Tricorps bid to upgrade fire panel at Chickasha High School ahead of renovations

The board considered a bid to upgrade the Chickasha High School fire alarm and notification system ahead of planned renovation work to the DECA room, drama room and library. Staff said three renovation projects at the high school require the fire-notification system to be brought up to current code and that the work would touch locations throughout the campus. Bids were solicited and staff said the lowest responsive bid came from Tricorps at $71,661.56; the highest bid received was about $104,000. Staff presented a detailed proposal that enumerated required components, down to notification strobes and speaker locations. Members noted the value of receiving a full line-item bid that specified items and quantities. Staff explained the upgraded system will include strobe lighting and a voice-announcement capability so the system can play clear spoken instructions such as “Evacuate now” or drill-specific messages; the district will manage site communications so that parents and staff are not alarmed by test messages. Tricorps is the same vendor that previously worked on the district’s intercom and clock systems, staff said. A board member moved to approve the Tricorps bid to upgrade the high-school fire panel; the motion was seconded and put to roll call during the meeting.