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Board approves Anchor Fire Protection for middle school sprinkler project after CHA review
Summary
The board voted to award the middle-school sprinkler contract to Anchor Fire Protection after staff and CHA (construction manager) presented bid tabulations and flagged a roughly $600,000 spread between high and low bids; CHA and staff said allowances and workforce scheduling explain much of the difference.
The Northwestern Lehigh School District board approved a recommendation to issue a letter of award for the middle-school sprinkler project to Anchor Fire Protection at the May 14 meeting, after trustees raised questions about a large variance among bidders.
Staff presented the bid tabulation and asked the board to authorize award and issuance of the letter to Anchor Fire Protection. A trustee observed that the low-to-high spread approached $600,000 and asked whether the district had vetted the bids. Bridal Neswinder of CHA, the district's construction manager, told trustees the bids were reviewed to ensure each contained required scope items and noted that some higher bidders included substantial overtime provisions; staff also said allowances (about $133,000) built into the contract should cover unforeseen issues and would be returned to the district if unused.
Board action: After questions and clarification from CHA and staff, a motion to approve item 5.01 (award to Anchor Fire Protection) was moved, seconded and approved on a voice vote.
Why it matters: The project addresses life-safety systems at the middle school; a timely award helps keep the planned construction schedule on track. Trustees pressed staff to ensure bid scope parity and to monitor unused allowances so savings return to the district if possible.
Next steps: Staff will issue the letter of award and proceed with contract execution and construction management oversight; CHA representatives will continue to field contractor questions and monitor any change orders.
