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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 23, 2020 Page 13 HVAC | FROM PAGE 6 porting Value (MERV) filtration rating system measures a filter’s ability to remove small particulates from the air: The higher the rating number, the smaller the particles a filter can catch. MERV-13 captures 95-99% of all airborne particulates, according to its manufacturer, AAF International. The filter density strength ranges from MERV 1-16, and most buildings nationwide have used MERV-8 as the standard, according to a Fortune magazine article in August. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended since early May that office buildings and other indoor spaces upgrade their air filters to MERV-13, based on guidance from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Supt. Oteri told the Malden School Committee that MERV13 filters were installed and in place in Malden school buildings “before the pandemic,” through projects under the guidance of Honeywell. “In speaking with colleagues in other districts, everyone is seeking out the MERV-13 filters, but a lot of the HVAC systems in other districts may be 30-40 years old, and the new filters cannot be used until the older systems are updated. We are fortunate as a district; our buildings are in good shape,” Supt. Oteri said. “We were lucky; they were doing these updates by chance and as it turned out, they were very valuable,” Weldai added. Malden’s Director of Public Facilities Eric Rubin recalled these improvements in a recent correspondence to Malden Public Schools educators and staff. “As you are all well aware, COVID 19 has placed a greater emphasis than ever on the importance of air flow, ventilation and filtration,” Rubin stated. “We are fortunate that all of our school buildings have HVAC systems that TEACHER | FROM PAGE 11 ported students when they spoke out against injustice and involved families both in students’ academic progress and in events like Black History Month,” Riley said. “I am pleased to present this honor to someone who brings so much joy to her work.” In lieu of an in-person celebration, this year, DESE plans to release a brief video featuring Hedrington, the finalists, the semifinalists, the Massachusetts History Teacher of the Year, the finalists and winners of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and the state’s most recent Milken Award winner. are fairly modern. In addition, for the past 12 months many of our properties have been going through a major upgrade as part of a contract to upgrade our buildings systems. “These upgrades have included mechanical equipment, building management systems, variable speed pumps, heating equipment and lighting to name a few,” Rubin said. Rubin also asked that educators and staff who have returned to the classrooms, and those who will do so in the future, help protect the quality of air filtration by moving physical barriers from in front of the HVAC vents, such as desks, shelving, bookcases and other impeding items. “There should be nothing stored on top or in front of the vents,” Rubin asked. “We will continue to gain knowledge as to how we can keep our buildings safe for both staff and students. We are committed to doing that and ask for every ounce of your assistance in doing the same.” ~PUBLIC NOTICE~ During the week of November 2 the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) Office of Language Acquisition will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School. The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district and charter school every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations. Areas of review will include English learners’ student assessments; identification of English learners; what programs English learners are placed in; parent and community involvement; curriculum and instruction; student support services; licensure requirements for faculty, staff and administration; program plans; and evaluation and recordkeeping. In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The district will send a survey to the parents of students whose records the review team examines. The survey focuses on key areas of their child’s English learner education program. Survey results will contribute to the monitoring report. Parents and other individuals may call Judith R. Magloire, Office of Language Acquisition Review Chairperson, at (781) 338-3571 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, DESE will make the necessary arrangements. Within approximately 60 business days of the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide Mystic Valley Regional Charter School with a report with information about areas in which the district meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the district requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The report will be available to the public at http://www.doe.mass.edu/ell/cpr/?section=reports. ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ MALDEN HOUSING AUTHORITY Title – Technical Assistance to the Malden Housing Authority Request For Proposals MHA# 080420 Type of Contract – Indefinite Quantity Contract Award Stipulation – Multiple Awards; Each Task Order will be awarded either on a Firm Fixed Price basis with a Cost Reimbursement allowed (without increase) with backup documents/receipts. Proposal Due Date – Thursday, January 6, 2021 - 2:00 P.M. Offerors are advised that the cutoff date for questions to be submitted is 7 business days prior to the proposal due date. Proposal Objective – The Malden Housing Authority (MHA) seeks proposals from one or more qualified professional consultants/ trainers with the capacity to provide either specific or a wide range of services relating to improving the MHA’s Public Housing and Section 8 Program administration, inclusive and for the purpose of on-site training for its five member Board of Commissioners, Administrative, Maintenance staff; Fee accounting and Financial Advising Services; Federal, State, and non-profit Grant Writing Services; Risk Management Services; Energy Conservation, Measurement and Verification Services; Modernization and Procurement Consulting and Admin Services; Commodity Market Utility Analysis Consultants. Proposals should include resumes; individual/firm experience; and hourly rate of delivery of above listed services and any additional costs., all such services directed towards expanding and increasing MHA’s programmatic and administrative proficiency, Section 8 voucher baseline count, and ownership/development real estate portfolio opportunities, inclusive of for-profit, tax credit and mixed finance development, under an Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC) for a minimum term of one (1) year, extending up to a maximum term of five (5) consecutive years, all awards to be made subject to funding and in the MHA’s sole discretion. The primary objectives of this Statement of Work (SOW) are to expand and improve the MHA’s assisted and unassisted housing program abilities, opportunities and administration; assess and improve the MHA’s compliance with applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and requirements; analyze institutional staffing needs and competencies, and provide or recommend training designed to make all MHA staff proficient in their job assignments, corrective action and/or any other type or kind of improvement training MHA may require or desire. Bid Documents are available by email request @ efahey@maldenhousing.org Monday thru Friday from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm The Contractor(s) selected hereunder must execute all relevant federal and state bid documents and contract forms and provide certification(s) of required insurance. Any award made hereunder is subject to annual appropriation. The MHA reserves the right to cancel this bid if in the MHA’s best interest to do so. For additional copies of or further information relating to this RFP, please contact: Ed Fahey, Mod, Procurement & Facilities Director Malden Housing Authority 630 Salem Street Malden, MA 02148 E-mail: efahey@maldenhousing.org October 23, 2020

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