Board of Education approves 7 more CMAR contracts under 2012 bond program

CMAR firm for North Forest area athletic facility also approved

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday agreed to authorize the district to negotiate contracts with five firms to provide construction manager at risk (CMAR) services on selected 2012 bond projects.

The firms and the projects are:

  • Bellaire High School: Turner Construction Company
  • Davis High School: H.J. Russell & Company
  • Dowling Middle School: Turner Construction Company
  • Eastwood Academy: Comex Corporation
  • Lamar High School: Gilbane Building Company
  • Parker Elementary School: Brae Burn Construction Company, L.T.D., L.L.P.
  • Yates High School: Turner Construction Company

Utilizing the CMAR contracting method helps HISD ensure a quality project by increasing coordination with the design team and establishing a guaranteed maximum price for construction, minimizing the potential for problems such as cost overruns. CMAR also allows greater potential for subcontracting specialized work, increasing the number of potential business opportunities with the district. Many of the 2012 bond program projects will be assigned CMARs due to the nature and complexity of the projects.

The selected firms were chosen from a pool of 33 contractors based upon several selection criteria, including qualifications, relevant experience, safety record, minority and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBE) plan, construction methodology and phasing strategy, and financial stability. Qualified firms were then invited to submit cost proposals for construction services.

Two of the firms, H.J. Russell & Company and Comex Corporation, are certified M/WBEs, which means they are at least 51 percent owned by one of the following groups: African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Native American or women. The other three companies have committed to contracting 20 percent to 30 percent of their work to M/WBE contractors.

In other business, the board agreed to negotiate a contract with Pepper-Lawson Construction, L.P., for athletic improvements at Mark Anthony Wilkins Pavilion in the North Forest area. The district will fund this project with state money.

The board’s regular monthly meeting was held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2013, in the board auditorium of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th Street). Click here to view the full agenda.