Construction Manager Reports and Newsletters

Where we are:

• Bids received March 23^rd
• $5.6 million over the project budget of $92.8 million
• Filed sub-bids $1.1M over budget
  • Major overruns: HVAC ($1.6M), electrical ($468k), and miscellaneous metals ($300k)
• Non-filed bids $4.5M over budget
  • Major overruns: steel, concrete, drywall, millwork, curtainwall, and landscaping

Significant value management (VM) across many trades is required to bring the project back within budget. The team has developed a VM list that will ensure bids do not come in over budget when the project goes back out to bid. Currently, the priced items total approximately $7.1M.

• Identified significant value engineering items:
  • No significant educational impacts – all changes reviewed with the school
  • Building will still be fossil fuel free

• Architecture
  • Simplify interior finishes without sacrificing acoustical performance; reduce wood trim
  • Simplify geometry without affecting room sizes
  • Remove residual exterior sunshade/trellis
  • Remove canopy at Washington Street entrance
  • Simplify exterior window system
  • Simplify exterior details and materials without affecting performance
  • Simplify project area and breakout space geometry
  • Remove balcony at Media Center

• Structure
  • Simplify exterior perimeter details
  • Lower floor-to-floor heights by 8” at upper floors
  • Simplify concrete pours where possible

• HVAC
  • Bring scope in line with Ridley without affecting comfort or air changes per hour
  • Simplify metering and controls
  • Substitute radiant ceiling panels for radiant light shelves
  • Simplify diffuser connections at curved classroom walls

• Electrical
  • Bring scope in line with Ridley
  • Simplify metering and controls
  • Remove audiovisual scope from construction documents and purchase through the project’s soft cost FF&E/technology budget

• Landscape
  • Simplify materials such as railings and site furniture without affecting playgrounds or longevity
  • Reduce size, quantity, and type of boulders
  • Simplify concrete finishes
  • Reduce density of shrub/perennial plantings
  • Remove pergola structure

How we got here:

This project followed a process that included more cost input than is typical. Below are some of the steps taken to ensure cost certainty at bid time:

• Estimates were provided early at 50% DD rather than relying solely on the customary 100% DD estimate
• Additional estimates were conducted at the 100% DD, 60% CD, and 90% CD milestones
• The 60% estimate included a third estimator
• A market study was completed at the end of 2020 to better understand conditions during an uncertain period
• When necessary, value management studies were performed to bring the project back within budget

Potential contributing factors for bids coming in higher than anticipated include:

• The recent inflation spike in the market, which was not evident even 6–8 weeks earlier
  • Significant increases in the price of copper, steel, and lumber
• Estimates may not have fully captured more complex aspects of the project design
  • VM items reduce customization and improve efficiency in manufacturing and installation
• The bid process included six addenda, which may have complicated pricing
  • This will be resolved in the next round of bidding, as JLA will issue a conformed set of documents incorporating all addenda

Next steps:

To achieve the above and maintain a September 2023 school opening, the team will follow the timeline below:

• April 16^th – Jonathan Levi Architects (JLA) provided a new set of construction documents
• April 22^nd – Documents became available to bidders
• May 13^th – Bids are due
• Week of May 24^th – Gilbane GMP to be approved by the Building Commission, School Committee, and Select Board
• Mid-June – Gilbane mobilizes and begins construction onsite