LM May.2021

Develop RFQ. Develop a request for qualifications (RFQ) and accept submittals from architectural or engineering firms. Review Submittals. Review the submittals from each firm and select firms for interviews. It is important to contact references and visit past projects or facilities that the firm designed. Consider bringing in a construction manager or someone knowledgeable with school construction as part of your interview team. They can serve as an advisor as you evaluate submittals. Conduct Interviews. Conduct the interviews, then rank order the firms according to who you deem most qualified. You are not permitted to obtain fee structures in advance and use them as part of your process to rank order the firms. That must be done after you have determined the rank order for qualifications. Negotiate Contract. You then attempt to negotiate a contract with your top pick. If you can come to terms, then proceed with that firm. If you are unable to come to terms, then move to your second pick and attempt to negotiate a contract. Types of Construction Contracts When embarking on a major construction project, choices must be made as to the type of construction process you will follow. Districts can use a general contractor, construction manager or design/build for any work completed. The following are brief descriptions of each format: General Contractor. This is a commonly used form of construction process. Typically, your district’s architect develops plans/bid specs for a project. The district submits a request for proposals (RFP), accepts bids and hires the general contractor who submits the lowest competent bid. The general contractor hires the subcontractors, oversees the project and is responsible to complete the work. If change orders are needed, the general contractor must request approval from the district. Cost for change orders cannot exceed 10 percent of the original bid. The district’s architect can be engaged to oversee the work of the general contractor, if desired. This is a good approach for complex projects or projects where district personnel lack specific expertise.

Construction Manager. In this form of construction, the district directly employs a construction manager (CM) who manages the construction process on the district’s behalf. Selection of a CM follows a process similar to that of an architect or engineer. The architect/engineer designs the project, and the CM can participate in the design process. It can be helpful to have the CM involved at this stage to work with the architect to develop more efficient or cost-effective plans. Under the CM format, the components of a project are bid out separately, for example, there will be bid packages for electrical, plumbing, masonry, HVAC, etc. The district holds the direct contract with each of the firms who submit the lowest competent bid. The CM manages the construction process, keeps records, deals with any problems that may When embarking on a major construction project, choices must be made as to the type of construction process you will follow. Districts can use a general contractor, construction manager or design/build for any work completed. arise and coordinates efforts between contractors, the district and architects or engineers. Design-Build. In the Design-Build form of construction, a district hires a firm who serves as the one-stop shop for completing a project. The firm will design the project to the district’s specifications, then bid and manage the project to completion. The Design-Build firm establishes a cost total for the project and delivers the project for that cost. There are no change orders. Any problems that arise are addressed by the firm. Unforeseen costs are absorbed by the Design-Build firm.

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LM May 2021