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Board questions ABM energy‑savings HVAC proposal, seeks time‑guarantee and contract clarifications
Summary
ABM presented two design‑build contract options for HVAC and energy‑efficiency projects at Franklin County schools; board members pressed ABM on a 30% mobilization payment, asbestos procedures, guaranteed annual energy savings and a concrete completion date. Staff asked ABM to add liquidated‑damages/substantial‑completion language and return updated contract language.
ABM representatives described two contract options to address HVAC and energy‑efficiency work at Franklin County schools, and the board probed details of cost, guarantees and schedule.
Nathan Botwright, ABM vice president of business development, said the company can guarantee annual energy savings (the presentation cited a $110,800 annual guarantee) and is willing to add a substantial‑completion date or liquidated‑damages language to provide the district assurance that systems will be operational for the school year. Botwright said ABM had completed much of the mechanical design and that the firm planned to procure equipment up front, which is why the contract includes a 30% mobilization payment to secure manufacturing slots and cover design work that ABM has performed without interim billing.
Board members asked whether mobilization could be reduced, whether asbestos would be disturbed at the older Liam Wade school (ABM said they would test and, if abatement were required, contract the licensed abatement work), and whether guaranteed savings are annual and how they are measured. ABM said the savings guarantee is annual, would be measured with industry performance‑measurement protocols and is bonded under state law; if savings are not met ABM said it would issue payment for the difference and would work to identify and correct any root causes.
Board members also discussed local subcontracting and economies of scale between two schools. ABM said it will pursue qualified local subcontractors as part of the work and that design‑build can reduce change‑order risk. The company agreed to provide timeline language and contract edits; board members indicated they will consider the contract again once the language is added and attorney feedback is incorporated.
No final contract award was recorded in the meeting minutes; board members asked ABM to return with revised contract language addressing completion guarantees and liquidated damages.
