The Administration recommends that the Board of Education ratify the execution and authorize the performance of contracts, through the Superintendent or his designee as follows:

With:

Associated Specialty Consulting, Inc.

Delta/BJDS, Inc.

Diamond Huntbach Construction Corporation

Pepper Environmental Services, Inc.

Prime Group Remediation, Inc.

Purpose:

General Contracts for asbestos abatement

Original Start Date: 1/31/2020

Current End Date: 1/31/2022

Currently Authorized Compensation: $3,000,000

Additional Compensation: All entities will be paid out of the additional aggregate amount not to exceed $3,000,000, and total aggregate amount of $6,000,000.

Total New Compensation: $6,000,000

Location: All Schools

Description: The Office of Environmental Services has identified a need to increase funding for asbestos abatement contracts to continue to provide immediate response capabilities to initiate and complete emergency asbestos abatement, on an as-needed basis, throughout the District. OEMS has transitioned to become a more proactive department concerning the removal of environmental hazards in our schools. The compensation amount originally authorized was based upon a more reactive approach that would not have depleted the authorized amount of funds as quickly. OEMS identified projects over the summer and fall of 2020 to take advantage of these facilities being empty and work could be accomplished in accordance with the goals and guardrails of the School District. OEMS planned for a buffer of funds to address Imminent Hazard (IH) work; however, remediation efforts to support the ventilation systems and adding additional material into existing projects and work orders has depleted our authorized spend amount sooner than anticipated.  When authorized, OEMS has additional proactive projects that can be awarded along with final payments for past work around Imminent Hazards. The District has spent $250 million since March 2020 to: certify 28 more schools as lead safe; remove over 229,000 square feet (five acres) of asbestos containing material like pipe insulation and floor tile in 183 schools.  This item is a ratification because work was continued from a previous contract where authorized funds had been exhausted. This action item adds additional funding to allow work to continue.

Goal or Guardrail Supported: Guardrail 1: Provide 100% of student with a safe, healthy and welcoming learning environment.