University building bids get closer look from state

Tuesday, July 24, 2001 | 10:45 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- State Budget Director Perry Comeaux says the state is going to scrutinize the design of university buildings to save money.

The University and Community College System of Nevada has a "champagne taste with a beer budget," he said.

"I know it's important to build these statement buildings," Comeaux said, but he added that, "I intend to pursue getting the board more involved in approving the architecture of these university buildings."

His comments came during a meeting of the state Public Works Board last week in a dispute over construction of a science building for the Community College of Southern Nevada's Charleston campus.

Clark and Sullivan Construction Co. submitted a low bid of $15.3 million. Pace Contracting submitted a $16.4 million bid. Pace protested awarding the contract to Clark and Sullivan on grounds the bid documents were ambiguous.

At issue is whether the contract document required the winning bidder to use Birdair Inc., a New York firm, to supply and install a fabric structure to cover the outside mechanical units from view.

The difference between the Birdair and substitute material was $1.2 million, about the difference between the bids.

That difference prompted Comeaux's concern. Architects had told the board that the university wanted the more expensive Birdair product.

"There has got to be a balance on architectural detail, commonly referred to as gingerbread," Comeaux said today.

"That doesn't add to the building, except the aesthetics," he said. "University buildings should be impressive, but we have limited funding."

Spending extra money on buildings mean other projects are not funded, Comeaux said.

"I'm not saying we need square buildings but we need balance," he said.

The board will meet Wednesday to decide whether to throw out the bids and start over or award the job to Clark and Sullivan.

Comeaux also wants the public works board, of which he is a member, to develop a policy establishing a balance between the aesthetics and the cost -- not only for the university system but for other state buildings and prisons.

But it's more noticeable on university projects, he said.

The original science building was slated to cost $30 million, but the proposed private funding did not materialize, the board was told. As a result, the building had to be redesigned.

The Public Works Board had estimated the base bid at $13.5 million, but all bids were higher than that.

The board deadlocked at 2-2 on two votes. One motion sought to allow the state to negotiate with Clark and Sullivan for a contract at a lower price. The other motion called for starting over.

Brett Kandt, senior deputy attorney general who represents the board, suggests that all the bids be rejected and the bid specifications be corrected.

Only four of the seven board members were present when the votes were taken. Board members Kurt Brown, Val Garner and Irene Porter were absent.