The nearly two-year journey through the Montague High School Performance Gym project was an exciting opportunity we wanted to share with everyone. This project involved several critical phases: bid creation, submission, meticulous planning and engineering, and precise execution. In this post, we’ll walk you through our approach and share insights into how we successfully delivered for our client.
Before going into the details, I want to mention that throughout this process, CatchMark took every step possible to ensure we did everything ethically. CatchMark Managing Partner Brent Raeth is also the President of the Montague Area Public Schools School Board. Anything related to this bid on the school board side, he recused himself, meaning removing himself from discussions and votes. At CatchMark, Brent was not involved in bid discussions, including pricing or delivery. The Tech Services group, led by Directing Partner Jeff Burel, enjoyed the opportunity not to include him in discussions and keep the information from him.
Bid Creation: Crafting the Winning Proposal
Timeline: July 2023
Every successful project begins with a carefully crafted bid. We started by reviewing the requirements and understanding the client’s unique needs, which Winberg Construction, the General Contractor, provided. Our team evaluated the scope of work, required resources, and timeline to formulate a detailed proposal. The proposal document was seven pages long and included our bid amount, company information, and several pages of legal information that set expectations for the project.
Bid Winning: Trust and Patience
Timeline: August 2023
After submitting the proposal, our focus shifted to waiting. The bids were all submitted in a sealed envelope and opened in a public meeting. The school and general contractor reviewed the bids and recommended them to the school board for approval. At that meeting, the school board approved the recommendation to move forward with CatchMark Technologies for the Technology Bid Package for the project.
Planning: Laying the Foundation for Success
Timeline: August 2023 – September 2023
Once the bid is won, the planning phase begins. We outline project objectives, define deliverables, and establish timelines during this stage. Effective communication and coordination are crucial as we collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure clarity and alignment before moving forward.
This is where our technical expertise truly shone. Our skilled engineer, Ethan Goodsell, designed the systems to meet the project specifications. From network cabling and security systems to audiovisual solutions, the plans were meticulously outlined to guide the execution phase.
As the internal project manager, I ensured smooth coordination within the CatchMark team and served as the primary point of contact for Winberg Construction. This continuous communication was essential for keeping the project on track and ensuring all stakeholders were aligned.
Execution: Delivering Exceptional Results
Timeline: September 2023 –March 2025
The final stage of the process is execution. Our installation team worked diligently to bring the engineered designs to life, adhering to timelines and maintaining high-quality standards. Every aspect of the project was carefully managed to ensure a seamless experience.
The deliverables in our scope were extended across an 18-month timeline. While the building was being constructed, we had to watch and wait to get involved. We were then able to install the network and A/V cabling. Once that was completed, we had to wait for other trades to get the space closer to finished before we could return and install the components. Much of the work we completed was in the final stages of the construction.
Conclusion: Excellence Through Collaboration
Our structured process of bid creation, winning, planning, engineering, and execution showcases CatchMark Technology’s ability to deliver high-quality results even on complex, large-scale projects. We pride ourselves on our dedication to ethical practices, precision, and teamwork. This project demonstrated our capacity to scale our proven processes from smaller projects to a significant initiative. It solidified our reputation as a trusted partner capable of delivering technological solutions that drive success.
We look forward to applying our expertise to future projects, maintaining our commitment to excellence, and building lasting partnerships rooted in integrity and performance.
Take a look at this through the photos captured throughout the project. MAPS Gym Photos