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Norwin board hears low bids for Performing Arts Center; total recommended contracts about $6.39 million
Summary
Design team and project representatives briefed the board on low bidders and recommended alternates for the Performing Arts Center; base bids reported under budget and total recommended contracts with alternates were $6,391,200.
Board members reviewed bid results for the Norwin High School Performing Arts Center renovation and heard from Dan Engen of Draw Collective and district staff about recommended contractors and alternates.
Engen summarized prime-contract low bidders and recommended alternates: general contractor RA Glancy & Sons (base bid $4,480,000), plumbing by Shipley Plumbing (base bid $34,500), HVAC by SSM Industries (base bid $232,000), and electrical by Allegheny City Electric (base bid $1,447,000). Engen told the board, “Our total contracts with the alternates that are being recommended tonight is $6,391,200.” He also said the base bids came in roughly $400,000 under the anticipated limit and that including recommended alternates left the project about $800,000 under initial expectations.
Recommended alternates included: general-construction alternate G5 (dressing room countertop, $1,500); electrical alternate E3 (electrical work for rooftop dehumidification, $6,500); E4 (electrical for a dressing-room makeup area, $10,500); and E5 (pendant light fixtures, $17,500). The HVAC dehumidification alternate and its electrical work were presented as paired items: Engen told the board that if one alternate is accepted the corresponding electrical alternate should be accepted as well.
Board members asked practical questions about the scope and lifecycle of new equipment. Mr. Schrum asked whether some existing items could be repurposed (for example, stage curtains or storage shelving); Engen and project staff said some elements will be reused where feasible, but certain systems (rigging, tracks for operable partitions, lighting and sound systems) require replacement or modernization. Engen said manufacturer-provided training for complex systems such as lighting and sound is included in the specifications and typically recorded for future staff.
Board members also asked about change orders and cost control. Engen said change orders are normal and that the project includes a 5% contingency in soft costs; the project manager and contractor will report monthly on change-order requests, and staff said they work to negotiate or reduce requests before they come to the board.
Project representatives and district staff recommended that the board move the construction items to the legislative agenda for formal action next week so the board can award contracts after final review.
