Board approves negotiations with Southern Air for HVAC work at two high schools

The Bedford County School Board voted Dec. 11 to allow staff to negotiate a contract with Southern Air for HVAC work at Liberty High School and Stanton River High School after receiving two full proposals and conducting interviews Dec. 10, facilities staff told the board.

"Based upon those interviews, there's a recommendation to move forward with negotiations with Southern Air for these 2 projects at the 2 schools," Mr. Hagel said. He told the board the projects are complex and may extend into the following year. "There is enough money in the maintenance reserve fund for both of these projects," he added, while noting final contract prices remain subject to negotiation and facility committee review.

Mr. Hagel said roofing work would likely be split out and bid separately as a low-bid procurement because some roofing work is repair while some elements require different specifications. The board moved and approved authorizing staff to proceed with negotiations and subsequent facility-committee review of the final contract.

Board members noted that replacing HVAC often requires access that makes roofing work the logical time for some repairs, but they emphasized packaging the roofing work separately to obtain competitive pricing. No specific contract value was disclosed during the meeting; Mr. Hagel said staff will return with negotiated terms for committee review.