Conewago Valley schedules Act 34 bid release March 19; bid opening set for April 23

A visiting construction representative and district administrators briefed the board on the Act 34 bid schedule for the district's upcoming project and outlined steps for public advertisement, pre-bid meetings, bid review and intended board approvals.

The representative said the project would be released for bidding on March 19 and that the bid opening was scheduled for April 23, with a preliminary review April 30 and a study-session presentation on May 4 followed by a board vote around May 11. If approved and contracts are executed, the representative said construction could begin in June and that a typical five-week bid period and pre-bid walk-through would be used to attract competitive prime contractors.

The speaker explained the bid packaging will include five prime contracts (general, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and a separate site prime) to reduce site-development costs and improve competition. He also reviewed Act 34 cost-estimating practices and clarified that architect/manager fees (expressed as a percentage of the Act 34 cost) typically range from 6% to 6.5% for work within that standard scope and do not include furniture or FF&E in the fee base.

Board members asked for clear timelines and requested staff share exact dates and times with the full board as the advertisement and pre-bid dates are finalized.

The board did not yet authorize release at the study session; the representative said he will return next week for the board vote if the board elects to move forward.