Construction Managers Interview For White Pine School Renovation

Tuesday, July 19, 2016 was interview day for potential Construction Managers for the White Pine School Renovation and Addition Project. The Jefferson County School Board conducted two, one hour, interviews with candidates but held off on making a decision until both companies can come back with a price for a Manager at Risk arrangement. Merit and Burwill both presented their company profile and bid information to the Board, with Merit coming in with a base bid plus alternative @ $218,967 and Burwill @ $166,646.

Merit addressed the difference in cost, with representatives stating that their package also included a Superintendent Fee of $121,440 that was not a part of the bid provided by Burwill. Merit representatives contended that Burwill’s final tally would actually be higher than theirs when the additional fee is added. According to Jefferson County Schools Director of Business Affairs Phagan, the Burwill bid was submitted with the assumption of hiring a general contractor that would act as site superintendent. After some discussion, Board Members concurred that they would like the option to stay with the same general format as they have had on other recent building projects, which is a Construction Manger at Risk arrangement. In this type of agreement, the Construction Manager, in this case either Burwill or Merit, would present the Board with an all inclusive cost for the project and any overages would be the responsibility of the Construction Manager. Board Members and Director of Schools Edmonds spoke in favor of this type of arrangement because it is a package deal. Because neither company priced the project as a Construction Manager at Risk, Jefferson County Finance Director Potts will contact Merit and Burwill and request that they submit a price assuming the risk.

The School Board will meet next week to consider the additional information and evaluate the companies with an eye toward moving the project toward a physical start date. Both companies expressed concern regarding kitchen facilities at White Pine School and the impact that the project will have on feeding students. Both companies estimated that the project would last around ten months and consideration should be given to having the least impact on students.