Tempe district awards design-build contract for Fees Middle School rebuild

The Tempe Elementary School District governing board unanimously approved awarding contract 261128 to a design‑build team led by McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., with SPS Plus Architects for the rebuild of Fees College Preparatory Middle School.

Board staff told trustees the district used a design‑build procurement so the architect and contractor were evaluated as a single team. "This is the procurement for the Fees rebuild," said Mr. Thompson, a district procurement official, explaining the evaluation emphasized team performance, interviews and lean‑design principles. Selection committee members present included Jen Nusbomb and Kevin Davidson.

Staff identified Morgan Ellig and Mark Davenport from SPS Plus and Carlos Diaz from McCarthy as members of the selected team. A district representative said the team would begin the design process after board approval and that the team’s goal is to "start moving earth" around the start of '27.

Board members pressed staff on how the evaluation rubric distinguished teams; Mr. Thompson said interview tasks and demonstrations of team collaboration were decisive. The board also discussed schedule risk and permitting, and staff said the district will work to align permits and other prerequisites to keep the target start date on track.

A motion to award the contract was moved and seconded and passed without dissent. The board did not record individual roll‑call votes in the public transcript; the motion was announced as passing unanimously.

Next steps include finalizing the contract, beginning the design phase and returning to the board with design updates and permitting timelines.