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Board told to rebid outdoor learning pavilions after lone GC bid; water‑main, generator and BAS upgrades also on agenda
Summary
Facilities staff recommended two cost proposals for approval next week — $17,100 to replace building automation controllers and $32,007.58 to replace an inoperable generator — and said a two‑site outdoor pavilion project will be rebid after receiving only one GC bid over the district’s expected cost.
Facilities staff told the board on Sept. 8 that three spending items will be recommended for approval at the Sept. 15 regular meeting and provided updates on two construction projects that will be rebid or delayed.
Cost proposals recommended for board approval next week
- A $17,100 proposal from Trienn to update and replace building automation controllers for the Unionville Elementary heating hot‑water system. Facilities staff said the existing controllers are outdated and no longer manufactured. The work would be funded through the district’s long‑range facilities plan and is priced under the Pennsylvania Co‑Stars cooperative purchasing contract.
- A $32,007.58 proposal from Eastern Generator to replace an inoperable emergency generator that serves wastewater pumps and the maintenance shop at the high‑school/middle‑school campus. Facilities staff said the current unit is more than 20 years old and has an unrepairable stator; replacing the motor alone was nearly half the cost of a new generator.
Outdoor learning pavilions: only one GC bid, rebid recommended
Facilities director Mister Beitzel and project lead Mister Weitzel reviewed a two‑site outdoor learning‑pavilion project at Chadds Ford and Unionville elementary schools. The work would use glue‑lam timber pavilions, benches, an ADA‑accessible restroom at UE, synthetic turf at UE and underground stormwater systems required by township codes.
The district received one general‑contractor bid for both sites; that single GC bid totaled more than $1 million and included $220,000 in quantity allowances for unexpected soil or rock excavation. Electrical bids came in separately and ranged from about $108,000 to $270,000. Because only one GC bid was returned, staff recommended rebidding and soliciting additional contractors this fall; a rebid could return in October with award in November, and construction in spring.
Board members noted Longwood Gardens had pledged about $450,000 for the pavilion work; staff said the grant remains available and that rebidding will try to align cost with grant expectations.
Chester Water Authority Route 1 water‑main extension delayed, contract to be terminated
Separately, staff updated the board on a previously awarded contract to extend Chester Water Authority’s main roughly 1,800 feet along northbound Route 1 to serve Chadds Ford Elementary. PennDOT raised concerns after permit approval about excavation near a 700‑foot steep slope; PECO then identified two gas mains in the shoulder area that restrict the district’s planned trenching. Chester Water Authority agreed to re‑survey and produce a new design at no additional cost. Given the extent of changes, the district will terminate the current contractor, repackage the new design into rebid documents and seek bids in winter for spring construction. District staff said pipe paid for and staged on site will be made available in the rebid; staff expects the work to be delayed to next summer if necessary.
Next steps
Facilities staff will put the BAS replacement and generator proposals on the Sept. 15 consent agenda for approval, rebid the outdoor pavilion project this month, and seek a new Chester Water Authority design package before reissuing the water‑main bid. The pavilion rebid timetable aims for contractor returns in October and a November award but could slide depending on responses.
