Upper Dublin School District staff told the finance committee on Aug. 20 that, after two unsuccessful public bid cycles, they recommend contracting with Keystone Fire and Security—via a CoStars contract—to replace fire-alarm systems in four district buildings at an estimated cost of $1,088,327.17.

Facilities staff said the first bid cycle produced bids far above the district’s estimate and the second cycle rendered two bids invalid and a third with a price well above projections; as a result, staff pursued a CoStars contract and received a proposal from Keystone covering Fort Washington Elementary, Maple Glen Elementary, Thomas Fitzwater Elementary and the district office.

Staff recommended approving the Keystone contract and said the work is being scheduled so that the majority of installation will not disrupt the school year. The presentation noted that while some tasks may occur during the academic year to ease summer workload, the project plan anticipates most work to be completed in 2026.

Committee members asked whether current fire systems were operable; staff said existing systems still function but are increasingly obsolete, with manufacturers no longer producing some replacement parts. Staff characterized the CoStars procurement as a valid procurement path following the two failed bid cycles.

The committee approved moving the Keystone agreement forward. Staff said funding will come from the capital reserve fund and that timing of expense recognition depends on when work occurs relative to the fiscal year-end.