27J Schools Successfully Completes Time-Sensitive Kitchen Renovations With Job Order Contracting (JOC)

Challenge: Completing Four Major Kitchen Renovations Under a Tight Deadline

Year-round, school buildings are home to a flurry of activities. From normal classes, extracurriculars and after-school meetings during the school year, to sports camps and special programs during the summer, these establishments are seldom (if ever) inactive. This is especially true for the 27J Schools district in Brighton, Colorado. Encompassing numerous elementary, middle and high schools, as well as an alternative school and charter schools, the district is no stranger to managing numerous busy facilities throughout the year.

Toward the end of 2023, school leaders identified four kitchens that would need immediate renovations. Because of the ongoing activities that each school hosts, these extensive renovations would need to be completed as quickly as possible. A rapid turnaround time was a major priority at Northeast Elementary School, where during the summertime, breakfast and lunches are provided for children at the Boys and Girls Club located across the street.

Solution: 27J Schools Leverage JOC’s Unmatched Speed and Efficiency to Renovate Kitchens

27J Schools Construction Project Manager Becky Smith was first introduced to Job Order Contracting in October 2023 while at a conference. After discovering its benefits, she recognized the value this project delivery method would have for the school district. Since all construction work valued at over $5,000 requires bidding, or contractors need to be part of a government coop bid process, JOC would help satisfy this requirement in a much shorter timeframe. Once the district approved the project delivery method, and a local JOC contractor was selected, the project moved swiftly.

By spring 2024, construction was ready to begin. Each kitchen needed to be completed and fully functional in time for the 2024-2025 school year. These projects were spread between one of the district’s elementary schools, two of their middle schools and one of their high schools. Northeast Elementary School was an especially high priority, since it is home to a summer program for the Boys and Girls Club located across the street. Its kitchen is responsible for providing daily breakfasts and lunches to children enrolled in the program, which created an incredibly short window of time for construction to take place.

Result: Kitchen Renovations Deemed a Success Thanks to Job Order Contracting, District Plans Additional Projects for 2025

“We wouldn’t have been able to turn this [project] around as quickly as we did if we hadn’t gone through the JOC process.”

Becky Smith, Construction Project Manager, 27J Schools

After collaborating with the district’s Nutrition Services department and JOC Construction (the school district’s chosen contractor, which shares a similar name to the project delivery method they utilize), a plan to complete all four kitchens on-time and on-budget was established. Since the contractor would only have two weeks into summer available to work on the Northeast Elementary School kitchen, the front end of the construction work started during spring break.

To the delight of all involved, JOC Construction, using Gordian’s Job Order Contracting, was able to finish all four kitchens on schedule. The elementary school’s kitchen was renovated in time to serve members of the Boys and Girls Club throughout the summer of 2024. The middle schools and Brighton High School welcomed students in the fall with brand new, modern kitchen facilities.

“We wouldn’t have been able to turn this [project] around as quickly as we did if we hadn’t gone through the JOC process.” said Becky Smith. “As you know, you can’t start school and not serve breakfast or lunch. [JOC Construction] was fantastic to work with. They were more than willing to make things happen and go above and beyond my expectations.”

With the immense success of the kitchen renovation project, 27J Schools decided to use Job Order Contracting for new projects. While kitchen renovations were in progress, the district utilized this Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) project delivery method to complete much-needed upgrades and repairs to one of the middle schools. Being an IDIQ project delivery method, there was no requirement to place separate bids for additional work. Instead, the district could hire the same contractors for multiple jobs under the same contract.

As an aging facility, the middle school required repairs to the gym floor as well as a refresh of the band room to help keep their sports and music programs competitive with area schools. These improvements were made concurrently with the kitchen renovations.

Heading into 2025, the district is now using Job Order Contracting to complete critical security enhancements. This includes the installation of a financial transaction window to take payments, as well as a secure entry vestibule at Brighton High School.

Within the span of just one year, 27J Schools has made the most of their Job Order Contracting program. Not only have they completed vital improvements to greatly enhance the student experience for years to come, but they have done so in a manner that maximizes the district’s time and funds.