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Andover selectmen push for competitive bids after school bathroom plan pivots to design‑build
Summary
Selectmen raised procurement and technical concerns about an elementary‑school bathroom renovation after the Board of Education moved from a design‑then‑bid approach to a design‑build proposal with Fuss & O'Neil. Selectmen voted to pause funds and seek outside review and a competitive RFP to reduce risk of change orders and unvetted subcontractor selection.
Selectmen on Jan. 12 sharply questioned how an elementary‑school bathroom renovation moved from an engineering‑led design and public RFP to a design‑build proposal that would let one firm act as both designer and general contractor.
The project began, selectmen said, as a standard approach: Fuss & O'Neil was contracted to produce engineering drawings and then solicit competitive construction bids. Multiple speakers told the board that, over the summer, the Board of Education and the superintendent pivoted to a design‑build path. Selectmen said they then encountered a lack of competitive subcontractor bids, incomplete or missing design details (including drainage and septic elevations and piping plans), and the…
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