Middletown building committee approves direct award for school security through state master price agreement

MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown Building Committee voted to award the project security contract directly using a master price agreement from the Rhode Island Division of Purchases.

The motion, offered by Chair Ed Brady, instructed staff to procure the security contract through the state master price agreement rather than as part of the electrical subcontract. “So I move to award the security system contract direct using a master price agreement from the Rhode Island division of purchases,” Brady said. The motion was seconded and the committee voted in favor; the chair announced, “Motion carries.”

Committee members said the change is intended to give the school district more control over long-term, nonproprietary security systems and to reduce recurring fees. Committee discussion emphasized that separating security from the general electrical subcontract would allow the town to procure an “open-architecture” vendor able to support cameras, card access, and other systems over time rather than a proprietary system tied to a single electrical contractor.

Committee members and staff also discussed logistics for implementation and how the change would be staged within the existing bid packages. Justin (staff member) confirmed Gilbane had arranged the bid packages so security could be included as an alternate in the electrical bid and then removed and procured separately if the committee so directed. The committee did not name a supplier in the motion; members said an award will follow after pricing and vendor responses are received under the master price agreement.

The committee heard recommendations from Ed Brady that National Alarm (a local vendor referenced in discussion) offers open-architecture products and could provide integrated services, but the committee did not specify a vendor in its motion. Committee members noted the state MPA supplies standardized terms and conditions that simplify procurement and reduce legal complexity.

What happens next

Staff will solicit or confirm pricing through the state master price agreement and report the results back to the building committee. The committee’s vote authorizes pursuing a direct award under the MPA; any final contract award or related budget adjustments will be presented to the appropriate town bodies as required.

Provenance

Evidence for this action appears in the meeting transcript where the motion was made and the committee voted in favor.