Board approves advertising RFP for construction manager for courthouse exterior and third-floor work

The Meriwether County Board of Commissioners authorized staff to advertise a request for proposals (RFP) for construction manager services to oversee upcoming courthouse exterior, roofing and third-floor renovation work. Staff said EMC Engineering Services recommended engaging a construction manager because of the historic nature of the courthouse and the complexity of renovation work. The proposed procurement would use a scoring committee consisting of the architect, the engineer and a representative of the board to evaluate submissions and return a recommendation to the board at a future meeting. Several commissioners questioned whether hiring a separate construction manager was necessary given the county’s prior engagement with the engineering firm; one commissioner said he expected the original company to oversee work rather than subcontracting a separate manager. Staff clarified the RFP would not commit the county to a contract; it would produce competitive proposals that the board could accept or reject. A motion to advertise the construction-manager RFP carried on a voice vote. Staff said the RFP package had been reviewed by legal and contained a single revision related to owner modifications on page 5.