The county this week doubled from $1.5 million to $3 million its contract with Norco-based D. Burke Mechanical Corporation for the provision of mechanical contracting services at county facilities.

On March 1, 2011 the board of supervisors awarded three individual one year job order contracts for general construction services, paint and carpet services, and mechanical services.

Thirty-seven projects have been issued to contractors thus far under the 2011 job order contracts. Eighteen of the projects were issued to the mechanical contractor, D. Burke Mechanical Corporation, for a total value of approximately $1.3 million spent under that contract to date.

With the mechanical services contract nearing its available limit, several yet outstanding mechanical jobs could be delayed if an increase of the contract allowance for D. Burke is not made.

According to Carl R. Alban, the county’s director of architecture and engineering, much of that work involves improvements mandated on the county by the Air Quality Management District (AQMD).

“AQMD has mandated several boiler retro-fit projects which could be delayed, even though they are approved and funded either through the capital improvements project budget, incentive funds available from the AQMD, or the county’s Energy Efficiency Partnership Program,” Alban said. “The delay in completing these projects could result in the AQMD issuing noncompliance notices or fines to the county.”

Alban told the board before its November 15 vote that “Approval of this item will increase the not-to-exceed maximum mechanical job order contract amount to $3,000,000, enabling the current mechanical services contractor to complete several important projects mandated by Air Quality Management District Rule 1146. This rule requires the reduction of nitrogen dioxide emissions and applies to two boilers at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga and one boiler at the Government Center Central Plant in San Bernardino.”