Beauregard Parish board awards multiple facilities contracts, including $1.9 million DeRidder turf and $228,600 chiller

The Beauregard Parish School Board’s committees on Nov. 10 approved several construction and facilities contracts and advanced final‑payment steps on a South Boulevard High athletic project.

The finance committee approved Change Order No. 1 for the South Boulevard High School athletic facilities, a zero‑dollar amendment that extends the contractor’s schedule to finish the project’s final punch list, a board member said. The board then approved a recommendation of preliminary acceptance for the South Boulevard athletic facilities after the fire marshal granted final approval, signaling that the district can begin the final payment process.

Procurement staff told the board five bids were received for a chiller replacement at DeRidder High and recommended Blanchard Mechanical for the base bid of $228,600. Procurement said the apparent low bidder was disqualified for failing to include required documents in its submission. “I recommend awarding the chiller replacement bid to Blanchard Mechanical with a base bid of $228,600,” the procurement presenter said. Board members asked whether proposals were an apples‑to‑apples comparison, and staff said the bid included technical spec sheets to ensure comparability. The board approved the award by voice vote.

The board also approved a contract for DeRidder High School football‑field improvements. Procurement reported two bids were received and recommended T3 Global Projects with a base bid of $1,735,000 and an alternate price of $172,000, for a total request of $1,907,000. Staff said the larger scope includes a full track rebuild (ground up) that is expected to last about 15 years compared with a less‑extensive resurfacing option. A board member noted the company’s portfolio includes regional K‑12 and university projects. The board voted to award the project.

Board members largely framed these votes as routine procurement decisions, with several asking technical questions about bid documentation and specifications. The motions were passed by voice votes without recorded roll‑call tallies.

What’s next: staff will begin final payment procedures for the South Boulevard project, execute contracts with Blanchard Mechanical and T3 Global Projects, and proceed with preconstruction coordination and punch‑list closure.