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Middletown committee reviews alternates, elevator decision timeline and RTA schedule for school project
Summary
Committee members reviewed alternate work items for the elementary and middle/high school projects, discussed the schedule for subcontractor RTAs and a target for the guaranteed maximum price (GMP), and set decision windows for key alternates including an elevator.
MIDDLETOWN — Members of the Middletown Building Committee discussed alternate scope items for the new schools, the timing for subcontractor recommended awards (RTAs), and a target schedule for a guaranteed maximum price (GMP).
The committee reviewed four alternates currently in design documents for the elementary school — roof replacement, column enclosures at the existing gym and cafeteria, renovation of a toilet core near the main office, and a proposed elevator in the two‑story wing. Committee members were told alternates 1–3 are already in the bid documents; the elevator alternate will be added in an upcoming addendum for full pricing. “We’re gonna add that in the next addendum,” the project architect reported when the elevator was raised as Alternate 4.
Why it matters
Committee members emphasized that the elevator is effectively an “now or never” decision because of tie‑ins to structure and circulation; other alternates can be added later as change orders. Members asked for staff analysis and recommended that the committee adopt a scoring or weighting system to evaluate the alternates’ costs and benefits ahead of final votes.
Schedule, RTAs and GMP
Staff outlined a phased RTA (recommended to award) process being managed by Gilbane and Colliers. Gilbane has issued the first group of bid packages and will return recommended awards after scope reviews. The committee was told it can expect the first RTA packet for review at the April 30 Building Committee meeting, and staff is targeting a GMP by the end of the summer. “We are targeting the end of the summer,” a committee speaker said when asked about the GMP timing.
Deadlines for alternates were discussed: the committee may need decisions on late alternates by May and June, while alternates 1–4 could be held open into October for pricing validity. Members were urged to provide recommendations focused on documented pros, cons and affordability so the town, school committee and town council can review a reasoned analysis.
Energy incentives and approvals
Separately, the owner’s representative reported meetings with Vision Energy Solutions and Rhode Island Energy to pursue additional incentives and to boost the project’s CHIPS scorecard for the elementary school; staff will walk the site with those energy consultants and submit follow‑up materials to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) for CHIPS scoring. “We actually have a walk through with Vision Energy Solutions and Rhode Island Energy on Friday,” the owner’s representative said.
Other items
The committee also discussed a materials testing request for proposals to be released in April, a tentative groundbreaking planned for June 16, and a PLA (project labor agreement) feasibility study due to the town by March 31. Staff reported the project remains within the overall budget envelope the committee cited during the meeting, with contingency and escalation being actively tracked.
Provenance
The discussion of alternates and the elevator begins in the transcript when alternates are introduced and continues through the committee’s RTA and schedule update later in the meeting.
