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Carroll County awards $8.39 million contract to replace boilers and chillers at Carroll Community College
Summary
After bids came in above estimates, commissioners approved a budget transfer and awarded a contract to replace the central plant boiler and chiller systems at Carroll Community College. The county expects partial state grant funding and has asked for additional state support to offset higher bid prices.
The Board of County Commissioners approved a budget transfer and awarded an $8,392,000 contract for removal and replacement of boiler and chiller systems at Carroll Community College.
County staff told commissioners the project — long on the capital plan and advanced to bid after design and permitting — received five offers and the lowest responsible responsive bidder was Denver Elec Incorporated, of Baltimore. Facilities staff advised that the existing plant is at a critical point, with replacement parts difficult to obtain and a risk that failure would leave large portions of the campus without heating or cooling.
BUDGET AND FUNDING: Staff requested a transfer within the capital program to fully fund the contract so the county could award the work pending an anticipated increase in state assistance. Procurement and the budget office said the project will be funded roughly through a Maryland Higher Education Commission grant (anticipated to cover 52.1% of the contract once the additional state funding is confirmed) and county capital funds (about 47.9%). Commissioners approved the transfer and the contract award.
CONTRACT: The board voted to award the public works contract to Denver Elec Inc. for $8,392,000 and directed staff to execute the contract in accordance with procurement rules. Construction and building‑construction staff said the work is essential to campus operations and will proceed on an accelerated schedule once contracts are fully executed.
NEXT STEPS: Staff will continue to pursue the additional state funding they expect to offset the higher bid. Facilities will coordinate construction scheduling and notify campus operations of any timing that might affect academic activities.
Why it matters: The central plant project affects the majority of campus buildings and is intended to address end‑of‑life mechanical equipment that staff said could leave most of the campus without HVAC in the event of failure. Commissioners discussed the long project history and the importance of completing the work quickly to avoid service interruptions.
