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Gadsden County commissioners question CMAR process after contractors say plans were missing
Summary
County staff told the commission multiple construction procurements used a qualifications-first CMAR process and that negotiations will continue after several contractors said they had not received complete plans; board members asked that incomplete agenda items be pulled until negotiations finish.
GADSDEN COUNTY — County staff told the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday that several large building projects remain in negotiation after shortlisted contractors said they had not been given complete plans to price work.
Staff member (S1) said the procurements were run as CMAR — construction manager at risk — where firms were ranked on qualifications rather than on price. “They needed to see some sort of plans,” S1 said, adding that “they’re bidding to be the construction manager at risk.”
The projects named in the discussion included the Chattahoochee Library (staff said plans are 100% complete), Havana Medical Center (about 90%) and the Vanneker Medical Center (about 90%). Staff also said Ajax has been designated for the public-safety project but is not yet the final contract award.
Commissioners pressed staff on process and timing, arguing that listing incomplete items on the agenda can create a public impression that projects will start immediately. “We need to pull them early, so that way when people are reading it, they’re not thinking that something’s gonna start right away,” S2 said.
Staff responded that procurement is continuing and that, where necessary, the county will pull items from the consent agenda and bring them back once negotiations and documentation are complete. S1 said staff will “go back for negotiation next week” and will call a special meeting if a contract becomes ready for approval.
The board also questioned whether the CMAR approach (qualifications-first ranking) gave all contractors a fair opportunity to compete. Staff explained the selection committee conducted a qualifications evaluation and then sought authorization to negotiate price with the selected firm for each project.
Next steps: staff will continue negotiations, adjust agenda placements when items are incomplete, and return to the board with any finalized contracts for approval.
