Improvement Projects

School Discretionary Enhancement Program (formerly Market Maker)

The School Discretionary Enhancement (SDE) program gives schools more control and flexibility over building improvement projects. Schools will work directly with a dedicated project manager to plan and oversee their projects, from developing a scope of work to securing approvals and managing contractors. Funding will remain within school budgets, and schools will issue purchase orders and certify payments. This approach streamlines the process, reduces reliance on central offices, and allows schools to address their unique needs more efficiently while ensuring projects are completed on time.

Purchase Order Standard Work

Introduction

This Standard Work document details the procedures for obtaining an SDE Purchase Order.

SDE Purchase Order Standard Procurement Process

The responsibilities of Gordian Project Management Team include:

Secure a Job Order
Complete Stages 1 through 5 as outlined below.

Stages 1 through 5

1. Project Initiation

School Principal references the SDE Project Menu, identifies projects, and secures funding.
School Custodian/Principal requests a Work Order from the Borough Team for the SDE Project.
Once Work Order is received, school initiates project request via SDE Intake Form.
Project Manager creates project in eGordian, identifies contractor and stakeholders, enters project info and tracking dates.
Project Manager emails school about the upcoming project.

Project Manager Contact Information

Manhattan: Mike Natale [mnatale5@schools.nyc.gov(Open external link)]
Bronx: Kim Snyder [ksnyder4@schools.nyc.gov(Open external link)]
Queens: Pete Zafonte [pzafonte@schools.nyc.gov(Open external link)]
Brooklyn: Sal Callace [scallace@schools.nyc.gov(Open external link)]
Verrazzano (Staten Island): Rich Martinez [rmartinez8@schools.nyc.gov(Open external link)]
Verrazzano (Brooklyn South): Henry Restrepo [hrestrepo@schools.nyc.gov(Open external link)]

2. Job Order Development

Joint Scope Meeting

Gordian schedules meeting with JOC contractor, School Principal, Custodian, and stakeholders.
Review schedule, long lead items, design (if required), and costs:
- ACM Testing
- Air Monitoring
- Abatement
- Special Inspection (if required)
- Design Work (if required)
- Construction
- Gordian Fee
Gordian checks AHERA book and asbestos status; findings sent to EH&S.

If Testing is Required

Submit survey/sampling requests via EHS Asbestos Survey & Sampling Form.
Upload photos in form.
Contractors sign Self-Certification Letter.
Gordian requests vendor name and cost proposal ($3K–$5K) from EH&S.
School issues Purchase Order for ACM Testing.
EH&S schedules testing and notifies Gordian.
Items needed: Work Order #, Scope, Contractor, Self-Certification Letter.
Vendor sends results to EH&S and Gordian; Gordian shares results with contractor and school.

If Design is Required

Gordian contacts design firm for proposal.
School issues Purchase Order for design drawings and filing.
Gordian sends approved drawings to contractor for pricing and permits.

3. Request for Proposal (RFP) Generation

Gordian prepares RFP with Detailed Scope of Work (DSOW) and sends to contractor.
Include abatement and design if required.

4. Proposal Review and Approval

Contractor submits price proposal.
Gordian requests pricing for Special Inspection and Air Monitoring if needed.
Gordian reviews proposal, prepares cost package for school approval:
- Construction Cost
- Gordian Cost
- Testing Agency Cost (if required)
- Air Monitor Cost (if required)
- Designer Cost (if required)
- Abatement Cost (if required)

5. Job Order Execution & PO Submission

Gordian emails School Principal with required documents for Purchase Orders.
Upload documents to Gordian DOE Projects Folder.
SDE Package Includes:
- Contractor Cost (Construction & Abatement)
- Gordian Cost
- Air Monitoring Cost (if required)
- Special Testing Cost (if required)
- DSOW
- Job Order for Signature
- PO Request Form
School issues PO via FAMIS.
JOC Coordinator updates eGordian and uploads PO to SDE Purchase Orders Folder.
PM uploads PO in Smartsheet and issues Job Order to contractor.
PM requests Proceed Number from Borough Team; contractor uses it to initiate LCMS.

Construction Phase

PM updates eGordian and Smartsheet with construction dates and status.
Contractor submits subcontractors and obtains permits.
Kickoff meeting held on-site with all stakeholders.
Contractor executes work per scope.
Gordian conducts site visits and schedules special inspections.
Completion: Gordian issues punch list; contractor submits waste manifests and notifications to EH&S within 60 days.
Closing: Contractor submits closeout documents:
- Warranty & Guarantee
- Letter of Completion
- Transmittal Letter (signed by Custodian)
- As-Built (if required)
- O&M Manual (if required)
- Balancing Reports (if required)
- Training/Staff/Custodian (if required)
- BCC Sign-Off (if required)
Final payment issued after closeout.

Purchase Order Submission Matrix

Purchase Order Type	Submitted By
Asbestos Testing PO	Gordian
Air Monitor PO	Gordian
Designer PO	Gordian
Testing Agency PO	Gordian
Contractor PO	Gordian
Gordian PO	Gordian

Acronyms

DOE: Department of Education
JO: Job Order
JOC: Job Order Contracting
JSM: Joint Scope Meeting
LLW: Low-Level Work
BCC: NYC SCA Building Code Compliance
PS: Public School
SDE: School Discretionary Enhancement
CSI: Construction Specifications Institute
PM: Project Manager
EH&S: Environmental Health & Safety
RFP: Request for Proposal
SCA: School Construction Authority
LCMS: Labor Law Compliance Management System

Useful Links

Announcements

Schools can now order dumpsters directly from the approved vendor below:

Vendor Name: CARDELLA TRUCKING CO, INC. DBA CARDELLA WASTE SERVICES
Vendor ID: CAR622209
Contract Number: B320401

Custodian Supplies can now be ordered directly through FAMIS from the approved vendors below:

National Industries for the Blind: 800-421-9010
New York State Industries for the Disabled: 718-694-0291
Grainger: 866-992-9158
MSC: 888-495-0603
Fastenal: 718-499-2382