Board accepts middle school renovation bids, approves inspection and commissioning contracts and a small change-order credit

The Bath County Board of Education on March 23 accepted bidders for the Bath County Middle School renovation (BG #25-084), approved third-party quality-control and commissioning services, and approved a modest change-order credit for the electrical switch-gear package.

Why it matters: The bid awards and professional-services approvals move the renovation project from planning toward construction. Accepting bids, approving inspection and commissioning contracts, and resolving the minor change order clear administrative and procurement steps needed to execute contracts after financing is finalized.

Bids and costs: A construction presenter summarized the bid results: base bids totaled $12,281,000 and the selected alternates (4–9) brought the construction total to $12,532,000. The CM/architect reported that the construction cost figure has been incorporated into the district’s revised BG-1 form and has been submitted for state review, pending no further changes.

Contract awards and services: The board voted to accept bid packages and award individual trade packages as listed in the bid tabulation. The board then approved a special-inspection contract with UEES for quality-control testing (earthwork, asphalt, utilities, concrete, structural steel) and approved Facility Commissioning Group to provide HVAC, domestic hot-water and lighting-controls commissioning. Both contracts were approved by recorded or voice vote and carried.

Change order: The board approved a change-order credit of $5,176 from Graybar after the project team determined one switch-gear component was not required following updated sprinkler/fire-alarm scope review. The presenter confirmed the switch-gear fabrication is scheduled for delivery by June 1 so summer electrical work can proceed without delay.

Schedule: The construction representative told the board contracts would be executed the day after the bond sale (discussed elsewhere in the meeting) — with a draft execution date of April 3 — and that contractors would mobilize in roughly 10 days, with a kickoff meeting planned for April 20. The presenter reported a substantial-completion milestone targeted for September 3, 2028, and a final completion date of October 3 (year provided in the presentation but not restated in every segment). The board approved the revised BG-1 and bid packages and directed staff to finalize contract execution consistent with the financing timetable.