Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facility Renovation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Design firm: garage-to-apartment remodel bid came in at $184,900; board leans toward informal rebid or rescoping
Summary
A designer told the board a single responsive bid of $184,900 was received to convert a garage into an efficiency apartment and two carports. He outlined scope reductions and options — removing carports, trimming finishes, or pursuing purchase of alternate property — and recommended informal bidding if scope drops below the $150,000 formal-bid threshold.
Jason McGempsey of A and E Design told the Columbus School Board that a competitive, state-required formal bid process produced a single responsive proposal for the project to convert a garage into an efficiency apartment and two carports.
“That TW Clark bid from May 23…was $184,900,” Jason said, noting the district received just one formal bid and that the price was higher than the board expected. He outlined scoped reductions that could trim about $45,300—remove the carports ($39,000), eliminate a final contractor cleaning ($3,000) and reduce certain finishes such as insulation and luxury vinyl tile ($1,800 and $1,500 respectively)—bringing the project nearer to the $140,000 range.
Jason explained procurement constraints: projects above $150,000 require a formal advertised bid, a payment/performance bond and prevailing wages when over specified thresholds; if the district resizes the project below the $150,000 threshold, it could solicit three informal bids without the formal advertisement and bond requirements. He also noted local market pressure and that commercial contractors have heavy workloads, which may limit interest from multiple bidders.
Board members discussed options: pursue an informal bid process in late winter/early spring if the district re-scopes the work, negotiate with TW Clark, or consider seeking another property to buy rather than renovate. Several trustees favored waiting until spring to solicit bids and recommended retaining some insulation and necessary finishes even if some items are cut.
No final procurement motion to award a contract was made at this meeting; the superintendent said the district would plan for an informal bid outreach around February–March next year if the board desires that path.
