School contracts awarded

The Grand Coulee Dam School District board settled two contracts dealing with the district’s K-12 building project at a special meeting Wednesday night.

The board formally awarded the construction management contract to Wenaha Group of Pendleton, Ore., for a total amount of $437,472.

Wenaha was selected from a group of companies that interviewed before the board in July.

A construction management firm makes certain that all procedures, plans, permits are in place and followed. One is required by the state when using public money in a building program.

The $437,472, bid was for phase one of the project, the educational wing.

The second formal bid award for “value analysis/engineering” was given to OAC, a Spokane firm, going for $47,500.

The firm reviewed plans with school and other officials in Spokane Monday and made a number of observations that could lead to cost savings.

A “value analysis/engineering” firm is also required by the state when public monies are used.

School, architect and engineering officials will meet with OAC again Aug. 20, to continue the process to make certain that the district gets the best value for the money on the project.

The OAC recommendations will come before the school board for final comment or decision at a later date.

Superintendent Dennis Carlson said the district is still trying to keep the project moving ahead for a January bid date.