A firm based in Plainville, Mass. will design the new Victory Field athletic complex.

The Barrington School Committee voted unanimously to award the design and engineering bid for the new BHS athletic complex to Nesra Engineering, Inc. The vote was made at the Committee’s meeting on Thursday night, Oct. 10.

Six firms bid on the project, which will bring a new multi-sport synthetic turf field and track oval to Barrington High School. The six companies that bid on the work were BL Companies New England, Inc., CHA Solutions, Gale Associates, Inc., Pare Corporation, Tecton Associates, and Nesra Engineering, LLC. Pare Corporation submitted the highest bid at $476,760, while Gale Associates, Inc. submitted the lowest bid at $187,620.

Nesra Engineering, LLC bid $227,650 for the job.

Barrington School Committee member Dr. Megan Douglas said she reviewed the proposals from the six firms and acknowledged that they were quite long. She asked Barrington Schools Finance Director Doug Fiore if there was much separation in what the different firms were offering to do. Fiore said they were all bidding essentially the same work. 

Committee member TJ Peck said he wanted to remove the highest bid as an outlier. He said Nesra mentioned in its proposal the use of organic fill for the synthetic turf field and other environmentally sound solutions. 

Peck referenced a difference between the low bid from Gale Associates and that of Nesra, which was the second-lowest bid. Peck said Gale would remain on site with the project for 10 weeks, while Nesra stated it would be there for the entire period of construction. Peck said he preferred to have a firm that would “be there from start to finish.”

Peck later said Barrington High School Director of Athletics George Finn was leaning toward Nesra Engineering. 

Douglas mentioned that there was a $40,000 difference between the two bids. She asked other Committee members if they believed that the offer from Nesra Engineering was worth the $40,000 difference. 

Peck again referenced the focus on environmentally-friendly solutions endorsed by Nesra and the promise to remain on the job until the construction was completed.

Douglas also reminded Committee members that there are a number of companies that claim their products are PFAS-free. Officials and residents have stated their concerns about the presence of PFAS in synthetic turf. PFAS are widely-used, long-lasting chemicals often used in nonstick cookware and food packaging, stain-resistant fabrics, some cosmetics and other products. PFAS have been associated with health problems in people. 

Douglas said it is important the district have third-party testing for any products that claim to be PFAS-free.

A short time later, Peck made a motion to award the bid to Nesra Engineering, LLC. Frazier Bell seconded the motion, which passed 5-0. 

More about the proposal

During the meeting, Peck was quick to mention the focus on the environment included in Nesra’s proposal. 

The introduction, written by company president Arsen Hambardzumian, stated, in part, “Our approach to this project is driven by our appreciation of its significance to the high school, its students, staff, and the Barrington Public School Department. In our proposal, we detail multiple options (outlined in the Methodology and Approach Section) to be further refined during the schematic and design phases. These options include synthetic turf fields with organic infill alternatives, non-infill systems, and solutions with minimal or no added PFAS content.”

A different section of the proposal states: “For the Barrington High School Project, we are fully prepared to manage all permitting requirements, including those under the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. Our expertise in floodplain management and stormwater regulation, as demonstrated through our past and very recent work on projects like Taunton High School and Leary and Yetten Fields, ensures that we will deliver a compliant and environmentally sound solution.”

Nesra’s proposal also referenced the significance of the Victory Field athletic complex to the Barrington community. 

“At Nesra Engineering, we understand that the athletic facilities and track at Barrington High School are more than just sports grounds—they are integral to the community’s identity. Victory Field is a cornerstone for both residents and the school’s athletic programs, fostering unity and pride. We recognize that these renovations are crucial to ensuring the track continues to meet the evolving needs of the community and its athletes for years to come.”

The Nesra Engineering proposal detailed the company’s approach to the project: 1. Initial assessment and design, 2. Permitting and compliance, 3. Construction documentation, 4. Bid process and contractor selection, and 5. Construction administration. 

“Our team is committed to a meticulous project management approach that includes detailed scheduling, continuous communication with all stakeholders, and a focus on innovative problem-solving,” stated the proposal. “We will ensure that the design process is completed within the agreed timeline and that the construction phase progresses smoothly with minimal disruption.”