Board moves forward with Joe Riley Construction for Marshall Middle School parking project

The Marshall School Board approved the contract recommendation for the Marshall Middle School parking lot on Tuesday after hearing sealed-bid results from Orb Management.

"When we take into account our value engineering deducts, this is where the cards fall," said Ryan Melchert, project manager with Orb Management, describing the RFP structure and bid results. He told the board that Joe Riley Construction was the lowest responsive bidder by about $14,000 after value engineering deducts were applied and said the low-bid result aligns with the district’s long-term facilities maintenance budget.

Melchert explained the RFP requested a base bid allowing contractors to propose reuse of the existing asphalt as base material if it met specifications for a new class five gravel base, a value-engineering option included by multiple bidders. He said the next steps, if the board approves, were contract negotiations, permit procurement from the city, and a tentative construction window from late June into mid-July.

The board approved the bid recommendation during the action-items portion of the meeting (motion by Sarah Brink; second by Mary). There was no recorded roll-call tally in the transcript; the chair called the vote and announced the motion approved.

The district presentation also noted minor adjustments to the planned bike path alignment to avoid removing a row of pine trees and separate cyclists from vehicular traffic.

The board placed the parking lot approval among several procurement votes taken that evening and will move into contract execution and permitting with the selected contractor.