Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1948 [PAGE 1096]

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1948]

U N I V E R S I T Y OF I L L I N O I S

I095

officers and the Contractor and his representatives with respect to various detailed matters of controversy such as the proper rentals for equipment, transfers of equipment from the Women's Residence Hall job to the tunnel job, time schedules, and other problems. The Contractor now proposes: 1. That the present contract be changed from a cost plus guaranteed maximum basis to a fixed sum. T h e amount of the sum, however, was not discussed but, in view of statements by the Contractor "that there would not be a saving to the owner under the present contract," it is assumed that this amount would not be less than $2,000,000. 2. That if the above change in the contract is approved, the Warner Construction Company will complete the project by September except for interior painting. Furthermore, a surety bond will be provided as a guarantee of completion if the proposal is acceptable. 3. That the company is unable to submit a progress schedule based on the present contract. These proposals have been reviewed carefully by the Physical Plant Department, the Legal Counsel, and the Comptroller. Their conclusions are: A. In our opinion, proposal (1) above if granted would represent a material change in the contract and we seriously question the right of the University to take such action. B. The offer to complete the project by September 1 and to furnish a surety bond as a guarantee is no additional protection to the University over its present position. The present contract provides for completion by July 16, 1948, on which the Contractor has submitted a surety bond. C. At this time, it is impossible to know definitely whether the University will either gain or lose by the acceptance of the offer. In view of the legal restrictions on the University in awarding and changing contracts together with the impossibility of determining whether the University will gain or iose by such a change, the proposals should not be accepted by the University. This report is presented for consideration and action by the Board.

The President of the University stated that since the preparation of this report, a request has been forwarded through Mr. Livingston for a hearing before the Executive Committee for the discussion of this matter. Professor Britton presented a memorandum in reply to the statement of the Warner Construction Company accompanying the letter of Mr. T. L. Warner to Mr. Livingston, dated May 12, 1948. President Fornof stated that he had notified Mr. Warner that the Board would give him and his associates a hearing at noon on Saturday, May 22. (See page 1113). Mr. C. S. Havens and Mr. E. L. Stouffer commented on this matter. After full discussion, action on this matter was deferred until after the hearing. In this connection, Mr. Davis requested that the Secretary record him as voting against any change in the contract with the Warner Construction Company.

CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF BETATRON AT THE CHICAGO PROFESSIONAL COLLEGES (5) Bids have been received for construction work to house and service the new betatron which is being purchased for the Chicago Professional Colleges. The Director of the Physical Plant Department and the Comptroller recommend the award of the following contracts to the lowest bidders: General work to E. H . Marhoefer, Jr., Company, Chicago... .$18 717 00 Electrical work to B - H Electric Company, Chicago 4 997 70 Heating, plumbing, and ventilating work to Cutler and Price, Chicago 14 35° 00