Indianola board approves construction-manager-at-risk process for high school phase 2
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Summary
The board voted to pursue a construction manager-at-risk (CMAR) process for phase 2 of the new high school project, a procurement approach intended to engage contractors earlier in design to reduce change orders and allow rubric-based contractor selection; the motion passed 6-0.
Administration recommended the board authorize a construction manager-at-risk (CMAR) procurement process for phase 2 of the high school construction project so the construction team can participate in preconstruction and work with architects to reduce potential change orders. Administration said the process, allowed for Iowa public school districts since 2022, permits selection using an evaluation rubric rather than automatically awarding to the lowest bidder.
A board member asked whether local subcontractors would still have an opportunity to participate; administration said subcontracting and bidding at the subcontract level remain the same once a general contractor is selected. The administration and an architect they consulted recommended the approach for a project of this size.
Ben moved to approve the CMAR process for phase 2; the motion was seconded by Eric and carried on a voice vote recorded as 6-0.
Board members discussed that the CMAR approach delays a guaranteed maximum price until the contractor is selected and emphasized that budgeting and costing work would still be performed prior to selection. Administration said the district would continue standard cost estimates and budgeting practices during the preconstruction phase.