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RUSD administration recommends Bloom Companies LLC for Gilmore Fine Arts architectural services
Summary
District staff told the board the highest‑scored respondent for RFP 25-007R is Bloom Companies LLC and that administration will ask the board to award the contract at the April business meeting for $323,460; staff emphasized qualifications weighed more heavily than low bid.
Racine Unified School District administration told the board during its March 3 work session that it will recommend awarding RFP 25-007R for architectural and engineering services for renovations at Gilmore Fine Arts K‑8 to Bloom Companies LLC for $323,460 at the April business meeting.
The recommendation was presented by district staff, who said proposals were evaluated on qualifications first and cost second. The administration noted the highest‑scored vendor was Bloom Companies LLC even though other respondents submitted lower bids: the memo in the packet lists other bids (PIDA and Angus Young) with lower dollar figures. Administration said contract exceptions (respondents’ proposed changes to the district’s standard contract language) were scored as part of the evaluation and that none of the competitive respondents had major exceptions that would preclude award.
Board members requested a quick overview of the planned work at Gilmore. District staff said the renovation scope includes three science rooms that were not upgraded in earlier work, locker room renovations, and improvements to fine arts spaces including the auditorium. Staff said they will explore feasibility of adding windows to the building exterior, a change community members and school staff have advocated for, but said that is dependent on structural feasibility and will be addressed during design.
Because this was a work session item, the administration indicated it will bring the formal recommendation and contract award to the April business meeting for board approval. No formal vote was taken at the March 3 work session.
Staff and board members stressed that the district’s RFP process weights qualifications ahead of cost, and that cost was one of several scoring elements — including contract exceptions reviewed by district purchasing.
The board did not act at the work session; administration confirmed the item will return for action at the April business meeting.
