Committee recommends Pepper Construction contract for Richmond addition and Redling gym floor, $6.48M package

Facilities staff recommended that the board approve bids and issue a construction contract to Pepper Construction for a bundled scope that includes the Richmond Elementary addition (two new classrooms and associated restrooms), renovations to adjacent large classrooms (art and STEM), parking- and sidewalk improvements, roof replacement work, and gym-floor replacements at Richmond and Redling.

Staff said the full recommended contract amount is $6,480,183. Staff also noted that sprinkler work is required in the new addition by code; because pipe and mechanical work will run through existing spaces during construction, the project team is adding sprinkler coverage so the entire Richmond building will be fully sprinkled at project completion. In the bid breakdown staff provided to the committee, the fire-protection (sprinkler) trade low bid was approximately $138,000.

Staff told the committee the combined package falls within the funds allocated in the district's capital-improvement plan and argued bundling shared-site overhead and the construction manager presence improved efficiency. The committee asked detailed questions about scope, capacity (two additional classrooms net new), and whether the district had scheduled or prioritized related abatement work. Committee members instructed staff to include a cost breakdown in the board materials; the committee moved the recommendation to the board consent/action list.