KC to expand Industrial Maintenance Program

The Kilgore College Board of Trustees met Monday night with several action items on the agenda.

The board voted for a "construction manager at risk" for a new industrial maintenance facility to be built on the KCLongview campus.

Dr. Bill Holda, KC president, said the Industrial Maintenance Technology program will meet the needs of many of the area's regional businesses and industries, which need students trained for these skills.

"This facility will enable KC to increase training opportunities for our students," said Holda, adding that KC is already teaching classroom materials.

"The new facility, which will be 4,000 square feet, will be possibly be funded by donations from LEDCO for $200,000, Eastman Chemical for $50,000, Kellog, Brown and Root for $10,000 and $100,000 in donated equipment," said Holda.

He said he hopes the facility will be ready for the next class, which starts in the fall of 2009.

Duane McNaney, vice president of administrative services, said the Industrial Maintenance Technology Shop, approximately 4,150 square feet, is a pre-engineered building to be constructed on the south portion of the existing KCJeff Longview campus. McNaney said building components include a single slope pre-engineered structure on concrete footings and slab with a standing seam metal roof system with vinyl backed insulation.

Interior finishes include exposed concrete floors, concrete masonry unit walls and exposed structure with a mechanical/storage mezzanine. Exterior finishes include metal wall panels with concrete masonry unit walls. Miscellaneous specialties include overhead doors, rail-mounted hoists and cranes, emergency eye wash and shower. Site work includes site preparation, rough and finish grading, concrete paving and flatwork.

McNaney said KC advertised for a request for proposals on a construction manager at risk for this facility and 13 companies requested the RFP's but only three submitted proposals.

"Moore Building Associates, RLM General Contractors and RPR Construction Co. Inc. were the three companies who submitted proposals; only RLM and RPR were interviewed," said McNaney. "RLM received the contract because of their willingness to charge no fee for construction services and waive some expenses and RLM was better able to satisfy the requirements of the LEDCO grant."

McNaney said the grant required sub-contractors to be chosen from Gregg County and RPR use most of their sub-contractors from Smith Co.

The board voted to approve RLM.