A Taj Mahal High school

[State High Vision]

Wednesday Update

May 9, 2007

 

WHAT NOW?

 

In the meeting held yesterday at the Fairmount Elementary school, bid documents for the 13 bid packets addressing the renovation project were opened and released to the public. The results of the bid indicate that the combined low bids for the 13 bid packets totaled $95,252, 149 or 17.7% over the bid estimates presented at the Act 34 Hearing on July 8, 2006.  A conservative evaluation of the alternates (e.g. allowing contractors to bid on lesser packets and reduced project scope) deducts potentially $2,443,902 resulting in a total project estimate of $92,808,247 or 14.7% over the budget estimates.  SEE BELOW.

 

According to the PA Department of Education (PDE) the Act 34 of 1973 “Taj Mahal Act” requires a second Act 34 hearing if bid costs exceed by eight (8) percent or more the estimated costs presented at the first hearing.  The Act further requires a referendum if certain costs for a new building or substantial addition exceed the calculated referendum limit for that project.” (ww.pde.state.pa.us)

 

The public, including local construction and design experts, have been telling the board and the district that this plan was underestimated for over a year!  They aren’t listening to the public, local experts and as we saw last week, the students.  We have copies of emails and letters from local architects and engineers in which they alerted the district to problems like geo-technical concerns IN ADVANCE and the underestimated costs IN ADVANCE and the board and their design team ignored those suggestions.  Rather than hear the questions coming from those who know the local market and topography, the board has suggested that anyone opposes the plan must be doing so for personal gain or are “boorish” for demanding answers.  

 

Several of the large bid packets including General Contractor, Plumbing and HVAC received only one bid raising questions about the competitive bidding process, as well as the information in the bid documents.

 

It raises questions….

 

·        Given that the board voted on a “maximum project cost” of $101,999,000, will they follow ACT 34 and schedule the second ACT 34 hearing or will they try to cut costs, again undermining public comment?

 

·        The bid information that we heard yesterday doesn’t include any “change orders” which are those adjustments made during the building process.  What will be the ultimate cost to the taxpayer?

·        We have seen crucial items cut from this already extravagant plan (i.e. flooring that would last the lifetime of the building replaced with tile which may only last 10 years; roofing materials that would last 30 years reduced to cheaper materials).  What will they cut from this plan to make it under budget?  Will academic space be further negatively impacted?

·        Will the board and their paid consultants try to shift necessary expenditures and the cost of design features to our operating budget?  The bid alternates have already started shifting/hiding costs (i.e. kitchen bids featured an alternate that didn’t include the kitchen equipment in the plan!).  Will they shift other duties (i.e. painting, installing light fixtures) to our already overburdened maintenance staff?  Our facilities staff are already taxed with regular maintenance and are unable to manage maintenance at our athletic facilities (raking of the turf at Memorial Field; regular grounds maintenance at the outdoor facilities).  What will be the impact on our operating budget?

·        Will the board see this as the RED FLAG that it is and stop the project or will they continue BLINDLY forward at taxpayer expense?  Two extension on bid opening dates, 5 bid addenda and single bidders on major packets all signify problems with this plan!  

·        What does this do to the district’s construction schedule?  Will they attempt to push forward and dig/demolish around our kids?  The board has been motivated by the calendar throughout this project.  Unfortunately that calendar now means that kids will be in school in the buildings. 

 

 

 

Bid Summary (including alternates/deducts)

No.            Contract           Budget   Est.            Base Bid            Possible Deducts         #  Bidders
1                 Site Work        $ 9,448,909               $ 8,890,000          ($ 558,909)                      3
2                 General           $30,218,388              $39,960,000         ($ 768,100)                       1 **
3                 Masonry          $ 5,407,000              $ 5,382,000                                                 3
4                  Roofing           $ 3,318,000              $ 2,419,945          ($       500)                       3
5                Windows          $ 2,205,000               $ 1,493,960         ($   39,620)                      2
6                Resilient Flrg    $    803,000               $    843,000         ($        100)                      4
7                Tile Flooring      $    416,000              $    811,776         ($  269,773)                     3
8                Casework         $ 1,475,000               $ 2,298,000         ($  456,300)                     3
9                  Food Service   $ 1,434,900              $ 1,891,024         ($  303,850)                     7
10                Plumbing         $ 4,680,500              $ 7,044,444         ($    20,250)                    1 **
11                HVAC              $10,106,000             $13,340,000        ($    25,000)                     1 **
12                Electrical          $ 9,450,000             $ 8,808,000       (  $     1,500)                     3
13                Technology       $ 1,978,000             $ 2,070,000                                              2
                                    =========            =========            =============

 

TOTALS                    $80,940,697               $95,252,149      ($ 2,443,902)
                                               17.7% over               Still 14.7% over


**Note that there is only one major bidder for several contracts.

 

The SCASD board has scheduled a work session to review the bids on Monday, May 14, 2007 at 7:00 at the Mt. Nittany Middle School library.   NOTE:  The per SCASD policy, public will not be allowed to speak/ask questions at this work session.