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BUSD board rejects SMS/BHS security fence bids, approves inspection services contract

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

Although the Bonsall Unified School District board rejected all bids to construct a security fence around the campus shared by Bonsall High School and Sullivan Middle School, the fence contract will be re-bid and the Monday, April 17, BUSD board meeting also included approval of a contract for construction inspection services for the fence.

The BUSD board approved a recommendation to reject the bids and re-bid the project. The construction inspection contract will be awarded to Quality Control Consultants Inc., which is based in Escondido. Both actions were on 4-0 votes with Michael Gaddis absent.

Currently the middle school and high school can be accessed from the south, west and east portions of the school grounds. The fencing will filter visitors to a single point where school staff can monitor and verify visitor entry.

“We’re installing an upgraded security perimeter fence, and we’re very excited about that,” BUSD superintendent Joseph Clevenger said.

The fence will be 7 feet high and will be ornamental steel and chain link fencing. The construction will also include a double pedestrian gate at the main campus entry which will include a camera and buzzer system, a motorized vehicular gate at the main entrance, an access system for pedestrian gates and electrical engineering to ensure operation.

In June 2022, the BUSD board voted 5-0 to award a design contract to AlphaStudio Design Group, which is based in Carlsbad, for architectural services related to fencing around the campus. AlphaStudio will also assist the school district during the bid phase of the project including pre-bid meetings and responses to requests for information.

A May 2022 BUSD board action authorized district staff to advertise a request for qualifications to inspection firms in order to establish a pre-approved pool of inspection service providers, and at the Aug. 17 meeting the board approved three firms to be placed on the pre-approved list including Construction Inspection Services.

The Aug. 17 board meeting also authorized BUSD staff to issue a request for proposals for the construction contract. Four bids were received, but one bidder withdrew.

“There were some significant discrepancies between bids,” Clevenger said.

It led to the decision to reject the bids and have the project re-bid.

“We’re just going to run it back again,” Clevenger said. “We want to get the best deal possible.”

The plans and specifications will not change from the original bid package.

“I think the same companies will come back and bid,” Clevenger said.

The rejection of all bids and decision to re-bid will cost the school district an estimated $1,500 in bid advertising expenses.

Quality Control Consultants was selected for the inspection services after district staff determined that the company’s proposal was the best value among the proposals received.

“That just ensures that as the work takes place and is finished that it will take place properly,” Clevenger said.

The contract with Quality Control Consultants will not exceed $4,770 unless additional work is required and authorized by the BUSD board. The contract has an end date of Oct. 27.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email [email protected].

 

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