Building committee approves April vendor payments and $107,806 change order for Whitman Middle School project

The Whitman Middle School Building Committee on April 28 approved vendor invoices and a $107,806.48 change order as construction moves into mid‑project work. The committee voted unanimously to approve invoices that included Fontaine Brothers’ requisition No. 12 for $4,209,246 and several consultant invoices, and then approved Change Order No. 6 after discussion of scope and negotiating reductions.

The approvals came after a financial update from project staff showing the contract value for Palm Bay’s work at $92,954,969 after Change Order No. 5, with project billings reported just beyond the 50% mark. Staff said $62,375,694 has been invoiced to date with a remaining invoiced balance shown as $63,563,034; they also reported current cash on hand after recent payments was $71,658.55.

Committee members asked for clarifications on specific line items and the PCO (potential change order) log before voting. Staff described the PCO process, noting some items were negotiated down to zero cost after contractor review and that the team maintains initial and current estimated amounts in a running log. The PCO presented as Change Order No. 6 carried a total value of $107,806.48 and included a mix of zero‑cost reconciliations and negotiated reductions.

The meeting record shows the invoices presented for approval included AI 3 invoices totaling $117,916, Briggs Engineering for $9,081, Colliers for $117,609.50 and Fontaine Brothers requisition No. 12 for $4,209,246; the committee moved, seconded and approved payment of those amounts. Later the committee moved, seconded and approved Change Order No. 6 for $107,806.48; the vote on both actions was recorded as unanimous with no roll call vote provided.

Project staff said a formal 50% review of contractor performance and subcontractor feedback is underway and that the team will present results and recommendations to the owner team before formal submittal. They also noted possible minor future change orders for construction testing adjustments and emphasized that some large initial GC submissions had been substantially reduced through negotiation.

Next procedural steps noted by staff include processing the approved invoices, submitting documentation for MSBA wiring procedures described earlier in the meeting and bringing future PCO approvals back to the committee as details are finalized.