Housing authority approves CMGC exemption for Forest Grove permanent supportive housing

The Housing Authority of Washington County on March 3 approved an exemption from the traditional design–bid–build competitive process to use a competitive CMGC contracting method for the Forest Grove permanent supportive housing project at 3127 Pacific Avenue. The board adopted the staff findings and authorized the alternative procurement approach by a unanimous 5-0 vote.

Deputy Director Jill Chen told the board the public hearing was to consider an exemption from competitive bidding and to authorize an alternative competitive construction contracting method. Joe Pizzone, the authority's capital improvements project manager, described the project as up to 60 apartment homes serving individuals and couples exiting homelessness and noted partnerships with Centro Cultural and Care Oregon for culturally specific supportive services.

Pizzone outlined why staff recommended CMGC: early collaboration between contractor and design team improves constructability and helps identify and manage risks early; open-book pricing and a guaranteed maximum price give cost transparency and greater predictability; overlapping design and construction phases can accelerate delivery and reduce change orders. "Using a CMGC approach allows early collaboration between the contractor and the design team, improving both constructability and reducing surprises during construction," Pizzone said.

Chen said the staff recommendation is consistent with ORS 279C.3352 and asked the board to conduct the public hearing, adopt findings and grant the exemption. No members of the public spoke during the hearing. After brief comments and a motion to adopt the findings, the board approved the exemption and the use of the alternative competitive contracting process, 5-0.

The board did not set a contractor at the meeting; staff said selection of a CMGC will proceed via a competitive request for proposals with evaluation criteria including relevant experience, cost estimation during development, hiring and apprenticeship practices, bonding and insurance qualifications, and references. Staff also said selection would evaluate commitment to access and opportunity and contractor capacity to support the project’s service model.

Next steps, according to staff, include issuing the competitive CMGC RFP and returning to the board with recommended findings and any proposals that require formal board approval.