Plenty of Work

But Cherry Creek Schools’ building chief warns against unrealistically low bids

Cherry Creek School District is bidding more than $200 million in new, renovation and upgrade projects from its November bond program.

By Keith DuBay

With residential and commercial construction at a standstill, government bodies like the Cherry Creek School District are providing a welcome level of activity.

Cherry Creek’s summer program included the $18.4-million Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) building led by Saunders Construction of Centennial, which consists of a new, freestanding building to be constructed between Overland High School and Prairie Middle School in Aurora. The full scope includes a Science Academy for middle and high schoolers with periodic use by elementary students. The current building is anticipated to be 58,000 sq ft with 28 educational spaces, a lecture hall, collaborative study areas within the circulation system and required support facilities. The architect is Hutton Architecture Studio of Denver.

Michael Langlett, executive director of construction, maintenance, grounds and facility management for the district, will send out six bid packages for the next phase of the elementary building program this fall, with more bids for high school renovations and general facilities for delivery in early 2010.

In November, Cherry Creek voters approved $203.5 million in bonds to pay for:

• Renovation of 14 elementary, two middle and two high schools built between 1958 and 1982;

• Upgraded safety and environmental systems, including fire protection, wiring, plumbing, heat and air conditioning at 50 schools and other facilities;

• Improved technology throughout the district;

• Construction of three elementary schools in the south and east sections of the district;

• Building the STEM facility between Prairie Middle School and Overland High School to serve sixth- through 12th-graders.

A long-range planning committee identified another $197 million worth of construction and renovations, including a new high school along the E-470 corridor. Although unfunded, it leaves more projects in the pipeline and a continuing source of work for Colorado contractors.

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Hard Bid vs. Negotiated Contractors say there is talk of an increased emphasis by Creek Schools on a hard-bid process, where construction managers are hamstrung into picking the lowest bidder.

Langlett doesn’t dispute that but says that negotiated or construction manager/general contractor bids are used as well, as was the case with the new math and technology building at Overland.

“We love hard bid if the project can support it,” Langlett adds. “I don’t think that has changed over the last 20 years. We couldn’t do that with West Middle School. It was a tough project, with moving kids around during construction. We had more to say as to what construction teams would look like, be tight budget-wise and address the safety issues on the site.”

The district has been able to keep its change orders on hard-bid projects to about 5% more than the original contract, Langlett says.

Several different officials at design and construction firms that do extensive work with Creek Schools said they could not speak on the record because of possible conflicts of interest, but all respected Langlett’s organization for being tough but fair with contractors and running a lean operation that does not interfere with the work of the experts.

The $18.4-million STEM is a new freestanding building consisting of 58,000 sq ft with 28 educational spaces, a lecture hall and collaborative study areas shared between Overland High and Prairie Middle schools. (Rendering courtesy of Hutton Architecture Studio)

“They’re conscientious about who they work for, their constituents,” said one engineer. “They’ve been hard-bidding for years. If they have a project that fits, they take advantage of it.”

Langlett’s Warning Contractors would be wise to make two mental notes when bidding Creek schools this fall and winter, Langlett says. First, that there will be an increased emphasis on the ability of bidders to show financial strength; second, contractor bids should not count on change orders.

“We’re investigating financials” a lot more, Langlett says. “I worry every day about these companies” having the financial strength to finish a job properly.

He says Cherry Creek also will manage change orders firmly.

“They all want work, but the companies who think they’re going to go with this (low) number and get change orders, they’re wrong,” Langlett adds. “Make sure you’re coming in with a number that you truly support because I think you want to give the owner a good impression when you leave that job.”

Useful Sources
For more information on Cherry Creek Schools construction program,
go to:www.ccsd.k12.co.us/CMGFManagement