District recommends Hessar/Hussar abatement contractor after lowest responsive bid disqualified

Mister Martin, presenting on behalf of the finance and operations department, summarized the asbestos abatement bidding for the Oak Knoll Early Childhood Center window replacement project and recommended awarding the work to Hussar Abatement at $66,000.

Martin said 12 contractors attended the mandatory bid meeting and nine responsive bids were submitted by the Jan. 15 deadline. The low apparent bid from EHC Industries ($64,850) was found nonresponsive due to a missing acknowledgment of an addendum that required boarding and weatherproofing openings; because the addendum materially affected scope and cost, the bid was disqualified. The next-lowest responsive bidder, Hussar Abatement, submitted $66,000 and was recommended based on responsiveness, documentation and a positive reference from the district's consultant, Integrity Environmental Services.

Martin explained addendum #1 clarified window opening protection that impacts contractor sequencing and costs; he said the abatement work is scheduled for June 2026 and must comply with applicable state and federal asbestos regulations. Board members asked process questions about sealed bids and post-opening communications; staff said sealed bids are opened publicly, and technical nonresponsiveness raises legal risk if the district were to award contrary to the public tabulation.

The recommendation will return at the next regular board meeting for formal approval, with staff asking the board to authorize the award to the responsive, qualified contractor. "We recommend awarding the Oak Knoll Early Childhood Center asbestos abatement project to Hussar Abatement in the amount of $66,000," Martin said. Additional clarifying documentation on the bid tabulation will be provided next week.