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Board approves $429,395 contract to replace 40‑year‑old HVAC unit at Division of Supporting Services
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Summary
The St. Mary's County Board of Education on April 8 approved a $429,395 contract (plus $30,000 contingency) with American Combustion Industries to replace a failing 40‑year‑old air‑cooled condensing unit at the Division of Supporting Services; the vendor is the lowest responsive bidder and equipment lead time is 10–12 weeks.
The St. Mary's County Board of Education voted April 8 to award contract SMCPS‑202608DSSDC to American Combustion Industries for $429,395, plus a $30,000 construction contingency, to replace an air‑cooled condensing unit at the division of supporting services.
The district’s presenter said the existing unit is about 40 years old, has exceeded typical life expectancy and is currently nonfunctional. “This unit is 40 years,” the presenter said. “If you search the life expectancy of a unit like this, it’s everywhere from 10 to 20 years...we’ve exceeded the life.” The presentation said the procurement used a multi‑step prequalification and bidding process; four firms were prequalified and three submitted bids, with American Combustion the lowest responsive bidder.
Board members asked about timing and contingency plans if warm weather arrives before replacement. The presenter said the contractor estimates a 10–12 week lead time after contract execution, which would likely put completion in mid‑June, and that the district is reserving contingency funds in case temporary cooling solutions are required.
Board member [mover] made the motion to approve the contract; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
The award authorizes staff to proceed with submittals to the district’s engineer and to order equipment as soon as the contract is signed. The presenter said the project will replace the rooftop condensing equipment with a packaged outdoor unit and associated ductwork and controls; refrigerant will be captured and disposed of per EPA requirements.
Next steps: execute the contract, begin shop drawings/submittals and schedule equipment fabrication and installation. The board did not record a roll‑call vote in the public discussion; the motion was carried by voice vote.
