USD 383 approves intergovernmental agreement with Fort Riley and moves forward with CMAR process

The Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education voted unanimously on Feb. 18 to approve an intergovernmental support agreement with U.S. Army Garrison Fort Riley that allows the district to use Fort Riley's construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) process for renovation projects and to proceed with required statutory steps to use CMAR.

Assistant district staff described the arrangement as a potential cost and schedule benefit and said the Department of Defense and multiple legal offices have reviewed the agreement. Col. Jerry Nunziato, Garrison Commander at Fort Riley, told the board that Fort Riley has used similar agreements and that, over 4–5 years, the program had supported roughly $140 million in projects with a $10–11 million return in efficiencies. "Over the 4 to 5 years that 475 has had this agreement, we have pushed about $140,000,000 worth of projects through that agreement," Nunziato said.

Board members asked detailed questions about contract mechanics, liability, termination clauses and which staff or contractors would handle site visits. Staff said the district will manage day-to-day oversight and intends to use a construction manager at risk (CMAR) whose guaranteed maximum price (GMP) and project-by-project approvals will return to the board for decision. The board also approved Resolution 25-26-12, the notice of intent to use the alternative delivery method (CMAR); staff noted that the public hearing and statutory timeline require a March hearing (scheduled for March 25).

Trustees said the agreement could accelerate renovation work and provide access to funding and capabilities that are otherwise difficult to obtain. Col. Nunziato invited the board to tour Fort Riley facilities to review prior projects and potential renovation needs. The board approved both the intergovernmental support agreement and the CMAR notice by unanimous votes.