Calvert County schools approve $1.57 million HVAC award for Brooks administration building

The Calvert County Board of Education voted to award a $1,570,335 contract to W.L. Gary Company for partial HVAC replacement and select exterior-door work at the Brooks Administration Building.

Shachita Warner, the districts director of planning and construction, told the board that four bids were received in January but two were deemed nonresponsive and all exceeded the available project budget. "Accordingly, pursuant to COMAR, all bids were rejected because prices exceeded available funds," Warner said, and staff subsequently revised the scope to focus on the most time-sensitive HVAC work and reissued the solicitation to responsive bidders.

Warner presented the recommended award, noting the base bid of $1,541,240 plus alternate 5 for $29,095 "for a total award of $1,570,335" and said funding is available within the approved capital improvement program and capital outlay budget. She described the HVAC work as critical to addressing failing perimeter PTAC units serving the finance and HR areas and to reduce load on an aging boiler, allowing that system to operate longer.

Board members asked clarifying questions about which units were being replaced, funding sources and longer-term work at Brooks. Warner said the district plans to include windows, an elevator, ADA restrooms and roof repairs in a future CIP cycle and will consider deferrals to make space for the Brooks project when appropriate.

The motion to approve the award was made and seconded; after brief discussion the board recorded the motion as carried (voice vote reflected as "Motion carries 4 0"). The award is subject to execution of a satisfactory contract.

Next steps: contracting staff will execute the agreement and schedule work; Warner told the board the revised scope and award approach complied with COMAR and that the work is scheduled to proceed as funding and permitting allow.