A Chattanooga contractor is the apparent low bidder for the new Ganns-Falling Water School.
County Mayor Jim Coppinger said J&J Construction had a base bid of around $27.7 million. There were add-ons to be considered of $100,000 for LED lighting and $280,000 to insure completion by Aug. 16, 2016.
A bid by Retenbach Constructors was close to the apparent low bid.
The other bidders were Dillard Construction, of Chattanooga, and Sain Construction, of Manchester, Tn.
The County Commission was told on Wednesday that $25 million was the projected range on the project.
However, County Mayor Coppinger said the county does have enough money set aside to fund the apparent low bid.
He said the bid includes tearing down both the Ganns-Middle Valley School and the Falling Water School. They are two of the county's oldest schools.
The new school will be built to the rear of the current Ganns School, which is on Middle Valley Road.
Officials said there is a "very tight" timeline for getting the school built in time for it to open in the fall of 2016.
The County Commission will be asked to approve a bid next Wednesday.
County Mayor Coppinger said the bids will be closely evaluated over the next few days and a recommendation will be ready by then.
On the LED lighting, he said county school maintenance officials believe the LED lights would pay off a $100,000 investment in 7-9 years.