County owner’s rep STV lays out progressive design‑build timetable, jail capacity study and inmate input plan

Adam Johnson, senior project manager for STV, told the Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee on April 7 that STV was serving as Whatcom County’s owner’s representative for the county’s jail and behavioral‑health facility project and outlined a progressive design‑build procurement and study timetable.

Johnson said STV signed its contract in February and moved quickly to submit a Project Review Committee (PRC) application, which the county received approval for in March. He said the county’s RFQ for the design‑build team “just hit the street yesterday” and that the county will shortlist firms from statements of qualifications and then issue an RFP to the three shortlisted teams.

The PRC process and procurement approach select a design‑build team based on qualifications rather than lowest bid; Johnson said the process is governed by state law (RCW) and requires PRC approval before moving to the qualifications stage. He described the procurement steps: receive SOQs, shortlist to three firms, issue RFPs that request management plans and a fee proposal, hold interactive meetings with proposers, then select…