HISD is soliciting qualifications from construction companies interested in supplying Construction Manager at Risk services on four schools being renovated or built under the 2012 bond program.
The projects include Waltrip High School, Worthing High School, North Early College and South Early College high schools.
“This is great opportunity for companies that want to work with the district and the architects as we plan and design these schools,” said Robert Sands, Officer of Construction & Facility Services.
By using CMAR, the district is looking to ensure a quality project from the start. The CMAR method of contracting helps ensure coordination throughout the project and determines a guaranteed maximum price for construction, minimizing the potential for problems such as cost over-runs.
“The CMAR comes on board at the same time as the design team so they are working together from the start,” Sands said. “That’s the benefit of it.”
Sands said most of the 40 school projects within the 2012 bond program will be using CMAR because of the nature of the work. Most of the high schools being rebuilt are large with complex phasing and site requirements that demand this type of contracting method.
The other advantage to using CMAR is the potential to subcontract much of the specialized work, creating more opportunities for smaller companies, Sands said.
The deadline for submitting a CMAR statement of qualification is May 14 at 2 p.m. in the Board Services office. A pre-proposal conference will be held on May 6 at the Delmar-Tusa Fieldhouse at 2 p.m.
The district will be evaluating proposals on a variety of factors, including financial stability, safety record, experience and a commitment to HISD’s M/WBE goals, which is 20 percent for construction contracts over $50,000.