Board approves CMGC procurement for Silvercrest Elementary seismic retrofit

The Silver Falls School District board voted unanimously to approve an exemption from competitive bidding and to use a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) contract delivery method for the Silvercrest Elementary School seismic retrofit.

District staff told the board the project is fully funded by a grant with an overall budget a little over $1,700,000 — roughly $1,400,000 budgeted for construction and an additional $317,000 set aside for contingencies. Kim Dowd, who introduced the item, asked the board to approve a findings-of-fact document and a special procurement that would authorize the district to solicit contractors under the CMGC approach.

Kevin Hassett of ZCS Engineering explained the benefits: “The construction manager, general contractor, CMGC, method, basically, you hire the contractor based off of qualifications, who's the most qualified,” and he noted the firm-selection factors would include firm experience, key personnel, schedule and cost-control approach. He said CMGC allows early contractor involvement, constructability input during design and a guaranteed maximum price prior to construction to reduce change orders.

Staff outlined next steps: an RFP announcement will run in the Daily Journal of Commerce, a pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for Oct. 30, proposals are expected in mid-November, and a recommendation will be presented to the board on Dec. 9 with the goal of awarding a contract before year-end and starting CMGC work with the contractor at the beginning of the following calendar year.

Derek moved the motion to approve the special procurement and to use the CMGC method; the motion was seconded and passed on an aye vote from the board.

The board's approval authorizes staff to proceed with the advertised CMGC process and to finalize contract documents consistent with the findings-of-fact presented to the local contract review board.