Stoughton building committee names W.T. Rich top-ranked construction manager, authorizes negotiations

The Stoughton Building Committee voted to accept the construction-manager selection committee’s ranking of W.T. Rich as the top candidate and authorized Vertex to enter contract negotiations with the firm, with Consigli and Gilbane to be negotiated in that order if negotiations with W.T. Rich are not successful.

The recommendation followed interviews of the three prequalified construction-manager candidates conducted Aug. 13 by the selection committee. Members said the ranking was based on presentations and experience rather than price, and committee representatives said all three firms were considered qualified.

The selection committee’s recommendation directs Vertex to negotiate first with W.T. Rich, then Consigli and Gilbane if terms cannot be agreed; contract language and edits from town counsel will be incorporated before execution. Committee members said the firms’ proposals were evaluated on construction experience with schools, schedule, construction approach and community engagement plans. One member noted Consigli’s track record on a past Stoughton high-school project and its shorter proposed turnover date, while others said W.T. Rich’s presentation, energy and elementary-school experience were decisive for some voters.

Committee members said the selection was a judgment call among three competent firms and that the final contract will be subject to negotiation and town-council review. The committee asked Vertex to begin outreach immediately and suggested negotiations could begin within about a week. If negotiations with the top-ranked firm fail, the committee directed Vertex to move to the next-ranked firm on the list.

Votes and procedure: the motion to accept the selection committee recommendation and authorize negotiations passed (11–2). The committee chair confirmed Vertex has received comments from town counsel and that contract documents will be revised and shared for final review before execution. Vertex and staff will confirm that full proposals are available on the project portal for committee review.

Timeline and next steps: staff said they expect to schedule negotiations promptly and will report back on outcomes; cost and final contract terms remain subject to negotiation. The selection committee noted that the ranking was not based on price and that final award will depend on successful negotiations and agreement on contract terms.