The Newport-Mesa school board rejected all bids for some prep work on the Corona del Mar High theater project, and authorized re-bidding the contract.
The district had received four bids for utilities preparation and interim housing related to the theater project.
The bids were rejected because they “were not in the best interest of the district,” according to the staff report.
The bids were then evaluated by the district’s purchasing and facilities departments and the McCarthy Company, who all agreed that none were acceptable.
The rejected bids were received from Malcon Civils, Inc. in Irvine, Silver Creek Industries in Perris, Minco Construction in Gardena and Mel Smith Electric in Stanton.
Minco Construction had the lowest bid at $770,000, just under the project cost limit of $775,000. Malcon had the highest bid at $924,866, while Mel Smith submitted a $810,000 bid and Silver Creek estimated a $908,520 project cost.
This is one of several projects in preparation for building the enclave and theater at the CdM campus.
The bill for the project will be paid with funds from Measure F, the $282 million school bond measure approved in November 2005 to finance specific district projects that are aimed at improving student safety, increasing access to educational opportunities and providing facilities to meet current state educational requirements, according to the district’s website about the measure.
The district also approved advertising for bids for pool supplies and refurbished computer equipment.
The total estimated cost for the pool supplies contract is $100,000 annually. The district purchases various chemicals for pool maintenance for all the pools in the entire district.
The refurbished computer equipment is estimated to cost $200,000 district-wide. Refurbished equipment is a cost effective alternative to purchasing brand new computer equipment, saving the district an average of $500 per unit, according to the staff report.
“The district has found that refurbished computer equipment has been used effectively in school computer labs,” district officials reported.
“The long term benefits of purchasing new computers include longer life cycle, better performance, compatibility and support for the latest instructional and business software and hardware,” the staff report states. “However, given the current economic climate, purchasing refurbished equipment provides the District with a cost-effective means of maintaining current technology levels in the classroom, while achieving savings by standardizing hardware and streamlining support operations.”
The board also authorized an increase to the contract with the Harbottle Law Group on Tuesday night, bringing up the total legal fees for this firm to $305,000. The board approved an additional $175,000.
The firm provides legal and litigation services related to special education and public education support services for the district.
