Much-delayed work on Phase II of Natalia ISD’s bond construction project is set to begin on August 4 after the district’s Board of Trustees selected Joeris General Contractors as the project’s general contractor during the regular meeting held on Monday, July 13.
Phase II includes a new academic wing, cafetorium, band hall renovation, and the demolition of old buildings. Joeris submitted a construction bid of $9.68 million, bumped up to $9.89M with the inclusion of $235,000 in contingency funds.
Soft costs, which include everything from design fees to building permits to furniture and fixtures, are estimated to cost $1.9M.
In all, the project is projected at $11,803,560. That figure exceeds the $10.7M allocated for the project, leaving the district $1,078,560 over budget.
NISD had twice previously sent Phase II out to bid. AGCM Inc.’s Nick Tuttle, the district’s project executive for Phase II, said the cost difference between the best ranked offerors in the second and third rounds of bidding is $973,340, which he described as “significant savings.”
“We do know that a lot of this had to do with the architect doing some work on the front end, as well as COVID has an impact,” Tuttle said. “In the construction market right now, everyone is scrambling to get work, so that played to the district’s benefit.”
A selection committee comprised of Superintendent Dr. Lana Collavo, Board member Paul Almendarez, Director of Operations Philip Riddle, architect Jorge Flores, legal counsel Winifred Dominguez, project manager Jacobo Morales, and Tuttle rated the nine general contractors who submitted bids on a 100-point scale based on the following criteria: relevant experience (11 points), project management ability (17 points), past performance (27 points), subcontractors and suppliers (15 points), and price (30 points).
Joeris received the top rating, followed by Stoddard, Seidel, WR Griggs, Bandy, DL Wilson, O’Haver, Sabinal, and Summit.
Both Sabinal and Summit were considered no-bids. Sabinal did not provide a subcontractor list, and Summit did not provide alternate pricing by the 4:00 pm submission deadline.
A motion by Board Secretary Gordon Gentry and Almendarez to select Joeris as Phase II’s general contractor passed 6-0 with the support of President Eric Smith, Andrew Besa, Fernando Garza, and Mireya Vanderslice.
Vice-President Tiffany Rodriguez was absent.
By Marly Davis
Staff Writer