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Board awards $1.14M and $854K contracts to replace chillers at tech center and Margaret Brent Middle
Summary
St. Mary's County Board of Education approved construction awards for chiller and cooling-tower work at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center and a chiller replacement at Margaret Brent Middle School, citing phased-out refrigerants and exceeded equipment life expectancy.
The St. Mary's County Board of Education approved two construction awards June 4 to replace aging chillers in district facilities.
The board approved a $1,138,000 construction contract to W. L. Gary Incorporated with a $60,000 contingency for replacement of two chillers and a cooling tower at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center. The district said the existing chilled-water system has exceeded typical life expectancy, requires phased-out refrigerant replacements, and needs equipment procurement to be scheduled ahead of the next cooling season.
The board also approved a $854,484 contract to Gegan Mechanical Incorporated with a $50,000 contingency to replace an air-cooled chiller at Margaret Brent Middle School. The presenter said the school’s units, installed in February 2004, have shorter life expectancy (15–20 years for air-cooled units) and that one chiller had required extensive repairs and was not working reliably.
Staff described the district’s procurement approach: prequalification of bidders based on technical and financial qualifications, posting on the district marketplace, and a multi-step solicitation that reduced the bidder pool to qualified firms. The presenter said multiple local firms responded and the recommended contractors have previously performed chiller and HVAC work for the district.
Funding: presenters said both projects are funded through the district’s Capital Improvement Project (CIP) local funds; the Forrest Center work was supplemented with a portion of the district’s critical funds to cover the newer-technology replacement scope. W. L. Gary and Gegan Mechanical were recommended as lowest responsible bidders from prequalified respondents.
Board members expressed appreciation for staff procurement work and noted the district’s strategy of publishing clear, complete specifications to attract qualified contractors. Both motions were approved by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will issue construction notices and coordinate scheduling to allow replacement work to proceed out of season where possible so buildings are ready for the next cooling cycle.
