Board approves substitution of Kalamazoo Mechanical for Gordon Elementary HVAC at original contract price

The Marshall Public Schools Board of Education on May 9 approved substituting Kalamazoo Mechanical for W.M. Floyd to complete the Gordon Elementary HVAC upgrade at the previously approved contract price of $415,100.

Staff told the board that bids on the project were opened Dec. 5, 2025; CSM Group had recommended W.M. Floyd as the low bidder and the board approved that award on Jan. 12, 2026. This month staff discovered W.M. Floyd could not fulfill the contract. CSM Group negotiated with Kalamazoo Mechanical (the second-lowest bidder) to step in and complete the full scope of work at the same price, and KMI confirmed that in writing.

Funding for the project was described as $350,000 from Michigan Healthy Schools funds and $65,100 from the district sinking fund. Staff said Kalamazoo Mechanical has committed to meeting the original plans and specifications and aims to complete the project in time for the 2026-27 school year.

Trustee Dr. Mark Michalka moved the substitution; Trustee Dr. Lauren Brown seconded. A brief question about whether the change created any additional cost or liabilities was answered by staff, who said the prior contractor had not started the job and Kalamazoo Mechanical would continue from the existing position. The board approved the substitution by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will finalize the substitution paperwork and coordinate with Kalamazoo Mechanical to begin work.