Bids On Sprinklers Vary By Nearly $300,000 For First Phase

There was nearly a $300,000 difference between bids heard tonight on installing fire sprinklers for Neligh-Oakdale's East Ward facility for what was described as Phase I or the base bid.

Bids were presented from J.F. Ahern Co. of Omaha, Titanium Sprinkler Company of Springfield and Bullseye Fire Sprinkler, Inc. of Norfolk. Prices, project timeframe, phases and piping differed between the three companies, two of whom presented in person while the third was heard via cell phone.

View the entire meeting here

Several of the companies presenting asked the board when a decision would be made on moving forward with sprinklers. Building and Grounds Committee chairman Ryan Koinzan said, “We have another board meeting Monday, and I would sure like to get something going at that meeting."

When asked for clarification on the bids after the meeting, Koinzan said the meeting had adjourned and he would not take questions. Board President David Wright was asked what specifications were provided to the companies for the bidding process. He said there were none.

“We don’t have to provide specifications,” Wright said.

When asked if the sprinkler pipes were consistent for all of the bids, from sizes to type of material, Wright said he thought so but was unsure.

“I assume,” he said. “You have to put in whatever the fire marshal is going to sign off on.”

Bullseye had the lowest bid at $106,800 for the first portion but not for the entire project. The first portion was described as the basement classrooms, mechanical room, weld shop, shop, band/music, new gym, stage and piping. Bullseye’s complete bid for the rest of East Ward totaled $316,000.

Titanium Sprinkler Company’s bid for the first portion was $399,850. Steve Skala said via phone the rest of the building would be bid and completed in the next 3-4 years. Skala said he had three concerns with the project - 1. Flow test, 2. Wood construction above the ceiling, 3. Gym.

Skala said he recommends a flow test on the fire hydrants outside of the school. He said that would dictate what size of pipes would be needed throughout the building. 

For the wood construction, Skala said the fire marshal should walk through the building again and provide a ruling on what is necessary. As for the gym, Skala said he was unsure if the fire marshal considered the 3-4 feet between the insulation and roof conditional space, and that needed to be clarified. 

J.F. Ahern’s bid for the entire project was $217,990. According to representatives, their proposal was based on the company receiving all CAD files and did not include the fire alarm systems or wiring of the system. 

Committee chairman Ryan Koinzan said upgrading the fire alarm system is a requirement by the State Fire Marshal’s office. Ahern representative said they could assist with finding someone for that aspect.

A topic of confusion during the meeting was possible demolition within the facility. Adam Krcilek, estimator/sales with J.F. Ahern Co., said if the district moves forward with demolition of a walkway in the 1950s building that had been discussed, that could be a cost savings provided back to the district. 

When asked what portion of the school the Building and Grounds team was considering demolishing, Wright said, “I do not know what he was talking about.”

John Wieczorek, district manager for Ahern, asked if the board wanted to go through the preliminary layout of the piping or if that was more detail they they wanted. 

Koinzan said, for him, it was more detail than he wanted to look at right now.