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Design development continues for South Kingstown High School; town authorizes phase‑2 environmental testing
Summary
The School Building Committee and town staff reported progress on the high‑school design‑development phase, recommended a two‑step GMP strategy and the council authorized a phase‑2 environmental site investigation contract with B&L Company to confirm soils and sampling for potential export.
Town staff and the school building team updated the council on April 14 about the South Kingstown High School building project's design‑development work and near‑term procurement strategy.
Kate Turner, the owner's representative, said the design‑development documents will be sent for estimating in mid‑May and that Gilbane and the design team recommended an initial guaranteed maximum price (GMP) that covers early bid packages — structural systems, site work, long‑lead items, demolition and abatement — followed later by a second GMP to cover finishes, mechanical/electrical/plumbing and interior work. Turner said the phased approach reduces premium costs associated with contracting on incomplete documents.
The council also authorized hiring B&L Company to perform a phase‑2 environmental site investigation after a Phase‑1 study identified a small number of conditions needing confirmatory sampling (closed oil tank records, a former hydraulic lift area and soil characterization for material export). Staff said Tighe & Bond performed the initial Phase‑1 but the proposed Phase‑2 vendor will be B&L after competitive review.
Why it matters: The design‑development estimate and the initial GMP packages will set the near‑term budget boundaries for a multi‑million‑dollar school project that the town is coordinating with state review and funding processes. Environmental sampling is necessary to confirm whether soils require remediation or special handling during excavation.
Details - Procurement approach: early GMP for structural/site/long‑lead packages at end of design development; remainder bid after construction documents completed. - Environmental: council authorized B&L Company for Phase‑2 site testing to confirm tank closures and sample soils for export manifests. - Schedule: town staff expects a design‑development cost estimate and schedule update in mid‑May; RIDEM and RIDE permits remain on the project critical path.
Quote "We'll have those packages completely designed, bid out, and have a very sure cost certainty on about 30% of the project at the end of design development," the owner's representative said of the early GMP strategy.
Ending: The committee will return with design‑development estimates and an updated schedule in May; staff emphasized the need to coordinate RIDEM and planning approvals to keep the project on track toward subsequent bidding.
