Elementaries through late tender process

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register



August 13, the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board (AVRSB) awarded tenders for construction projects at St. Mary’s Elementary School in Aylesford and Somerset and District School.

The tenders calling for new gymnasiums and music rooms at these two schools and Gaspereau Elementary School were put out in early July. The original closing was extended from July 17 to July 24 to allow the school board to gather additional bid-related information.

Gerry Wilson, procurement co-ordinator for the AVRSB, reported four bids were received for work at Gaspereau and St. Mary’s and five for the Somerset project.

“There were hundreds of drawings to sort through as well as two books of related documents, so the process did take longer than originally planned,” says Wilson, adding it is normal for a tender process timetable to be altered. “There are a lot of factors and questions than can come up after the bids come in.”

Some contractors bid on all three projects, others on just one or two.

B.D. Stevens Limited of Dartmouth was the successful bidder on all three projects. Wilson says the general contractor completed similar additions at New Minas and Glooscap elementary school last year and, as such, was in a good position to understand the scope of the projects.

Each project will cost $1.9 million to complete.

Bids for Gaspereau Elementary are still being reviewed, but Wilson is hopeful - but could not guarantee - the tender will be awarded within the next week.