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Committee weighs Gordian cooperative procurement, cost uncertainty for North Transportation Facility
Summary
Committee staff presented preliminary plans for the North Transportation Facility and recommended using the Gordian cooperative purchasing platform; members pressed on rising cost estimates, discussed alternatives (add-on vs. rebuild), and scheduled a March board decision after additional pricing in February.
Josh, a district project presenter, told the Properties & Facilities Committee on Dec. 3 that the district has engaged Alloy 5 for preliminary plans for a North Transportation Facility and is considering the Gordian cooperative purchasing platform to speed procurement. "It's going to be a pretty efficient and effective way to get that done," Josh said, describing Gordian as a single-point delivery model with pre-vetted unit pricing that can reduce coordination for small, multi-prime projects.
Committee members urged caution on cost. Josh said the district had initially targeted about $175,000 for the project but warned the final number could be higher depending on whether the work involves tacking on to the existing structure or demolishing and rebuilding. Members recalled earlier alternative estimates ranging from a minimal renovation previously approved to modular or new construction options that pushed estimates well above $100,000 and, in earlier discussions, toward $300,000.
Members asked for multiple bid options to be packaged so the board can compare a lower-cost renovation, a tacked-on addition, and a full rebuild. Josh said he planned to share preliminary drawings with Gordian to obtain updated cost estimates in February and recommended returning to the committee with firm pricing and options so the full board could take action in March, with implementation slated for the 2026 construction season.
The discussion covered procurement mechanics: Josh compared Gordian to other cooperative platforms the district has used (such as Keystone/Omnia for equipment procurement) and said Gordian has regional partners and pre-vetted pricing; he agreed to provide committee members with links and documentation about the Gordian process and examples of local use. Members also noted the operational constraints of the existing structure (originally built for storage and later converted to offices) and emphasized the need to balance quick, lower-cost improvements with long-term durability and prevailing-wage requirements.
Next steps: staff will provide Gordian documentation and updated cost estimates in February, and the committee expects to present a recommended option to the full board in March for final approval.
