GREENVILLE, S.C., Sept. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gordian, provider of data-driven solutions for all phases of the building lifecycle, is excited to announce Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) and Ovation Construction as recipients of a 2025 Job Order Contracting (JOC) Award of Merit for their $511K Stone Lakes Elementary School playground replacement project. A panel of industry experts selected the project for its exemplary use of JOC best practices, rapid project delivery and meaningful impact on students and the surrounding community.
When OCPS updated playground design and safety standards, Stone Lakes Elementary School faced an urgent need to replace its playground before the compliance deadline. Leaders needed a solution that would deliver a safe, modern play environment without placing additional demands on already stretched facilities staff.
“This project demonstrates how Job Order Contracting can help schools address critical infrastructure needs while minimizing administrative burden and accelerating results,” said Lotta Bager, Chief Operations Officer at Gordian. “Orange County Public Schools and Ovation Construction delivered a project that improves student safety, enhances the school experience and creates lasting value for the community.”
JOC is an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) construction delivery method that allows multiple projects to be completed through a single, competitively awarded contract. To complete the playground replacement, OCPS leveraged Gordian’s Cooperative Job Order Contract through OMNIA Partners. The contract provided immediate access to a proven contractor and an expedited procurement process, allowing construction to begin well ahead of the district’s compliance deadline.
Awarded contractor Ovation Construction mobilized quickly, procuring materials in advance and assembling specialized playground construction crews to accelerate project delivery. Construction began in August 2025, but the project soon faced another challenge: Florida’s hurricane season. Heavy rains and site flooding threatened to disrupt progress, yet Ovation responded by dewatering the site and maintaining momentum without significant delays.
“Ovation Construction utilized our proven JOC process and combined that with an investment of understanding our clients’ needs and expectations,” said Michael Provost, President of Ovation Construction. “The combination leads to excellent results for all parties involved that centers around clear and consistent communications from start to finish on every Job Order Contract.”
Despite severe weather conditions, the playground replacement was completed in just three months. The new playground meets OCPS safety and design standards and provides students and the community with upgraded, reliable equipment in a modern learning and recreation environment.
“By providing its Project Management staff with access to contractors like Ovation Construction through JOC, OCPS is able to extend its project delivery capacity across the district. This partnership allows me to devote more time and resources to managing multiple concurrent projects while relying on a trusted partner to handle the day-to-day coordination and execution of the work,” said Shaun Simmons, Facilities Project Manager, OCPS. “It allows me to maintain the appropriate level of oversight while ultimately getting more projects completed for the district.”
Read more about OCPS’ award-winning project here.
The presentation of OCPS’ and Ovation Construction’s JOC Award of Merit will occur on Tuesday, September 22. The ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. ET and will be held at Stone Lake Elementary School.
To learn more about the award program, all of the award recipients and their transformative JOC projects, please visit Job Order Contracting Awards.
About the Awards
Gordian’s Job Order Contracting Awards is an annual award program recognizing innovative uses of Job Order Contracting (JOC). Submissions are judged on their adherence to JOC best practices, innovation, complexity, special circumstances, community impact and overall time and cost savings. The Job Order Contracting Awards recognize projects completed the previous year, and nominations are submitted by agency owners, contractors or Gordian Account Managers. The program’s highest honor, The Harry H. Mellon Award of Excellence in Job Order Contracting, is named for Harry H. Mellon, the creator of JOC and founder of Gordian.
About Gordian
Gordian (www.gordian.com) is the leading provider of Building Intelligence™ Solutions, delivering unrivaled insights, robust technology and comprehensive expertise that fuel customers’ success during every phase of the building lifecycle. Gordian created Job Order Contracting (JOC) and the industry standard RSMeans™ Data. Gordian empowers organizations to optimize capital investments, improve project performance and minimize long-term operating expenses.
Sarah Walker Gordian 8644518036 s.walker@gordian.com
