Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1948 [PAGE 266]

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1947]

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

265

BIDS FOR FURNISHING STRUCTURAL AND REINFORCING STEEL FOR CONSTRUCTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING BUILDING (14) The following bids were received on February 5 for furnishing structural and reinforcing steel for the new Mechanical Engineering Building: Delivery on Reinforcing Structural Structural Bidder Steel Steel Steel Joseph T. Ryerson & Son #21 100 49* $15 650 00* September, 1947 Hansell-Elcock Co None 19 000 10 Five months Duffin Iron Co None 21 620 00 Seven months Bethlehem Steel Co None 14 900 00* October, 1947 Subsequently, the Bethlehem Steel Company reported that their escalation on the structural steel would not exceed $1,800, which would limit their maximum bid to $16,700. Joseph T. Ryerson similarly reported that their escalation clause would be 10%, making their maximum bid $17,215. On this basis, the bid of the Bethlehem Steel Company is lowest, and the University Architect recommends an immediate award to them on the basis of a base bid of $14,900 subject to escalation, but not to exceed $16,700. The University Architect also recommends that the bid of Joseph T. Ryerson and Son for reinforcing steel be rejected, inasmuch as only one bid was received and it is in excess of previous preliminary estimates. H e proposes to include reinforcing steel as a sub-bid in the general contract work for which bids are to be received on February 27. Fugard, Burt, and Wilkinson, Architects for the Mechanical Engineering Building, concur in the above recommendations and further recommend that the contract for structural steel include a provision that it may be transferred to the successful general work contractor. The Comptroller recommends approval of these proposals and I concur. O n m o t i o n of M r . M c K e l v e y , t h e s e p r o p o s a l s w e r e a p p r o v e d a s recommended. PURCHASE OF STEEL FOR CONSTRUCTION O F BETATRON (15) The betatron to be constructed in the new Physics Research Laboratory, which is moving toward completion, will be built under the supervision of members of the research staff of the Physics Department. Steel and other material are needed for this purpose. During 1945-1946, President Willard authorized members of the Physics staff to contact steel mills to determine where suitable steel could be obtained. These persons have conferred with officials of Carnegie Illinois Steel Company, American Rolling Mill Company, Wheeling Steel Company, and Allegheny Ludlum Company. Any order placed will be entered at the current price but will be accepted only with the understanding that billing will be at the price in effect at the time of delivery. Representatives of the Physics Department recommend that orders be placed with the American Rolling Mill Company of Chicago, Illinois, as follows: 140,000 lbs. 29-gauge Armco Trancor X X X steel, to be supplied to the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, which has been doing preliminary work for the construction of the betatron. Estimated cost $19 000 261,000 lbs. Armco Trancor 52-sheet steel, to be resquared, welded in coils and insulated. Estimated cost 35 681 Total cost $54 681 This recommendation is based on the following points: 1. No other company is prepared to supply transformer steel of sufficient width. 2. N o other company can supply steel in lengths greater than 10 or 11 feet, whereas we need sheets of considerably greater length. Armco can supply in continuous coils of greater length. 3. T h e base price of transformer steel is the same for all companies. The * Subject to escalation.