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Board approves $1.44 million contract for districtwide boiler replacements after competitive bids
Summary
Trustees unanimously approved a low bid to replace boilers at three schools and perform mechanical upgrades at two others. Project manager and facilities staff said the low bidder has prior district experience and a liquidated-damages clause fixes the schedule for completion before the fall term.
Trustees unanimously approved a contract for districtwide boiler replacement and related mechanical work, awarding the project to the low bidder after staff review of four submitted bids.
Project manager Scott McCullough, appearing with Phil Dimas, the district director of facilities, told trustees the low bid — presented to the board as ACCO Engineered Systems Incorporated during the motion — was substantially lower than the next bidder. Staff said the low bidder performs both mechanical and plumbing work in‑house and has previously completed successful work for the district at other sites. McCullough said the projects include replacements sized roughly at 1.0–1.5 million BTU for two schools and approximately 500,000 BTU at a third site, with additional pump and circulation work at another middle school.
Trustees asked about schedule, local contractor status and warranties. Staff said the work will occur once school is out, with a target substantial completion date set to August 15 so systems are online before the fall term. The contract includes liquidated damages for missed substantial completion: McCullough said a damages clause applies to delay, described in the meeting as a modest per‑day penalty intended to protect the project schedule.
Trustee questions included equipment efficiency and warranty; staff confirmed the district asked for high‑efficiency condensing units (greater than 90 percent) and that the selected vendor provides commercial warranties. Trustees also discussed site specifics at the middle school where staff proposed adding a circulation pump to address heating imbalance in an ‘‘E wing’’ classroom area.
Why it matters: The replacement project is intended to modernize aging heating systems, increase efficiency and reduce future maintenance risk across multiple district buildings. Trustees emphasized timely completion before student return.
Vote: The board voted unanimously to award the contract and set an amount not to exceed $1,441,000 as discussed during the meeting.
Ending: Staff said they will manage the construction schedule and return to the board with any significant change orders or issues during the summer work window.
