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County weighs procurement approaches for DSS facility; decision deferred to June 15
Summary
County staff and outside experts briefed commissioners on design-bid-build versus construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR/SEMAR) for a proposed DSS facility; staff favored design‑bid‑build with prequalification but the board deferred a final decision to the next meeting.
The board received a presentation on the construction delivery methods under consideration for the planned Johnston County Department of Social Services facility and related site improvements.
County Attorney Miss Slusser summarized two approaches: the traditional design-bid-build (DBB) method—where detailed documents are completed and sealed bids are opened, awarding work to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder—and the construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR/SEMAR) approach that uses qualification-based selection and early contractor involvement with the potential for a guaranteed maximum price.
Architect Josh Bennett and owner’s representative Jimmy Boyin walked commissioners through pros and cons. Bennett noted DBB has wide public familiarity and cost transparency at bid time when the design is complete. Boyin said CMAR can provide early constructability input, value engineering and faster schedules but introduces qualification-based contractor selection and nuanced negotiation on guaranteed maximum prices. Buildings and Grounds Director Daniel Clifton said past county projects performed well under DBB, and that the DSS office building appears to be a "fairly simple" office-style structure without specialty systems that would strongly favor CMAR.
"We lean towards design-bid-build," a member of the county team said, noting familiarity with the architect, strong owner's representation and a preference for transparency of sealed bids. Commissioners asked about prequalification of bidders, risk allocation, whether early involvement could reduce change orders, and how trade-package bidding would be handled in a CMAR model. Staff clarified that CMAR still requires public trade-subcontractor bidding and that SEMAR includes pre-qualification and first-tier subprocurement rules.
No vote occurred; the board took the briefing under advisement and will decide whether to select DBB or CMAR on June 15 once members have had additional time to review the comparative materials.
