Edgecombe board approves $3.8 million Vines Architecture contract and selects Bordeaux Construction as CMAR for North Edgecombe school project

The Edgecombe County Board of Education on March 3 approved a $3,804,000 contract with Vines Architecture LLC for architecture services on the North Edgecombe High School construction project and voted to select Bordeaux Construction as the project's construction manager at risk, authorizing district staff to begin contract negotiations.

The actions came after a 25‑minute presentation and question-and-answer session with Bordeaux Construction representatives. Blair Bordeaux, president of Bordeaux Construction, described CMAR (construction manager at risk) as an alternative delivery method authorized in North Carolina statutes since 2001 and said the CMAR acts as the owner’s agent to manage schedule, constructability reviews and budget constraints during design. "Our job is to give you the information to make the tough decisions," Bordeaux said, explaining the firm’s approach to preconstruction and open-book costing.

Bordeaux highlighted past K–12 work in the region and use of building information modeling (BIM) and other preconstruction technologies to reduce on-site conflicts. Matt Miller, director of virtual construction, summarized the BIM coordination process and said the firm uses clash detection and vendor equipment models to verify clearances and maintenance access before construction begins. Bordeaux also pointed to a recent Pender County K–8 project and noted the firm delivered a GMP (guaranteed maximum price) example for a Pender K–8 at $130,000,000.

Board members pressed presenters on site-specific issues, including a creek that runs through part of the property and permitting consequences. Bordeaux explained that if disturbance exceeds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ threshold it could add up to about a year to the schedule and that the firm has worked to stay under disturbance limits where possible.

The firm described local subcontractor outreach and minority business participation as a priority. The team said state minority participation requires at least 10 percent and reported they average 30–40 percent participation on projects through proactive outreach and second-/third-tier subcontractor matchmaking.

Bordeaux’s safety director described site safety procedures, including site-specific orientation, background checks and weekly audits, and said the firm partners with the North Carolina Department of Labor and OSHA SHARP programs to review and improve safety programs.

Board members and staff also discussed funding pressure caused by construction cost escalation. Bordeaux suggested pursuing new market tax credits as one potential funding tool and cited recent local efforts that sought roughly $6 million in such credits to help bridge funding gaps.

The vote to approve the Vines Architecture contract was made by motion, seconded, and carried on a voice vote. The motion to select Bordeaux Construction as CMAR and to authorize the superintendent and board attorney to begin contract negotiations likewise passed on a voice vote. The board adjourned after completing the votes; staff said they will proceed with negotiation steps and follow-up as needed.

Next steps: district staff and the board attorney will negotiate CMAR contract terms with Bordeaux Construction and finalize the architecture agreement with Vines Architecture LLC. Additional project details, including final GMP, funding sources and schedule milestones, were not finalized at the meeting.