Needham committee ranks HMFH first in designer selection for new middle‑school project; MSBA review, interviews set

The Permanent Public Building Committee reviewed five proposals for the town's planned middle‑school project and recorded a committee ranking that placed HMFH first, Doran/Whittier second and Arrowstreet third ahead of JCJ and RDA.

The committee discussed the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) designer‑selection process, the makeup of design teams and the consultant firms each prime proposed to use. The project consultant told the committee that five firms responded to the request for proposals: Arrowstreet; Doran Whittier (DNW); HMFH; JCJ; and RDA. He also described the MSBA Designer Selection Panel process, noting that the panel includes 13 MSBA members plus three town representatives and that the MSBA assigns the commissioning agent and pays for commissioning services.

Committee members and user representatives emphasized recent work, team capacity, community engagement and school programming experience when weighing options. Tamitha Bibbo, principal at Pollard Middle School, said she and other visitors were “impressed with HMFH” based on site visits and the firm’s middle‑school work. The committee heard and discussed each firm’s consultant teams, sustainability capabilities and prior MSBA projects; the project consultant listed target minority‑business participation levels included in the MSBA materials (5.6% MBE, 10.6% WBE, 3% VBE) and noted that proposers were asked to identify MBEs/WBEs/VBEs on their teams.

At the close of the committee discussion the chair read the tabulated points: HMFH 26 points (first choice), Doran Whittier 16 points (second), Arrowstreet 10 points (third), and RDA and JCJ 1 point each. Committee members discussed the importance of the three town representatives presenting a reasoned local position to the MSBA panel and noted that interviews with shortlisted firms are scheduled for May 20; the town representatives on the MSBA panel will participate in those interviews. The committee did not award a design contract at the meeting — the MSBA process determines which firms are pulled to interview and the MSBA ultimately recommends the designer for the project.

Committee members asked staff to confer with absent representatives, coordinate the three town representatives' positions, and prepare for the MSBA interview process. The meeting record shows the MSBA process will include initial scoring by the panel, a ranking exercise and then interview(s) of selected firms; sites visits and references will be considered as part of the evaluation.

No formal contract award occurred at the meeting; the committee's tabulated ranking will be part of the submission to the MSBA selection process and interviews. The committee also noted that the MSBA will provide the commissioning agent for the project and that certain reimbursable items (well drilling, geotechnical and other consultant services) may be negotiated during contract negotiations or as reimbursables through the MSBA process.