RSD 13 building committee approves four PCOs, including foundation credit that reduced cost

At its Nov. 19 meeting, the Regional School District 13 Building Committee approved four potential change orders (PCO 5, 6, 7 and 8) related to the swing‑space first phase. The motion to approve the PCOs was moved by John Cross and seconded by Lindsay; the committee voted in favor.

Dan Hetsler of OMG summarized the four PCOs. He said PCO 5 reflects a utility cost allowance with a net return of $738 and PCO 6 represents a trade‑contract allowance overrun of $2,851 for Diversity Construction work on portables. PCO 7 covered supplemental exterior rebuild work, including replacement of deteriorated stair assemblies and a ramp. "The net credit that I was able to secure from that was a credit to the project of $94,779," Dan said of PCO 8, which resulted from using a helical‑pile foundation alternative instead of drilled piers.

Dan also said he is pursuing three additional pending PCOs, including a roughly $6,000 credit for alternative heat‑trace materials and a final return of CM contingency that he estimated could yield about $42,000 back to the contract, for a combined potential reduction of approximately $58,000 to the final swing‑space contract value.

The committee also considered and approved several invoices, including OMG Industries application #4 for progress payment on the swing space in the amount of $77,394.83, construction‑document work invoices, and portable electricity charges. Committee members said the invoices had been reviewed and appeared consistent with contract progress.

The approvals allow estimating and closeout steps to proceed; OMG noted an estimate for demo/abatement will be ready in the first week of December to support the PCR scheduled for Dec. 10.