The Wake County, North Carolina School Board is happy with its use of construction manager at risk for its construction projects, citing the ability to better keep projects on schedule. Some local small contractors are not pleased, though, with the board’s CM-at-Risk policy that was instituted in 2007. The county’s board of commissioners has offered a sympathetic ear to their complaints.
The key point of dispute is that under this delivery method, the construction manager prequalifies the subcontractors who can bid on the work. Some feel that as a result of this provision they are shut out of the process for work that was previously open to them.
These complaints helped lead to the passage of a state law last year requiring public entities to justify using CM-at-Risk for each project. Under this law, school staff will come back to the school board to request approval for using CM-at-Risk for most of the major projects funded by last fall’s bond issue.
At odds over this issue, the two boards have yet to reach consensus on how CM-at-Risk should be used on future school projects.
(http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/08/11/4059339/wake-county-schools-defend-use.html)
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Aug 15, 2019
New edition of Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete available
American Concrete Institute document includes major technical changes.
Codes and Standards | Aug 13, 2019
Coaching pays off for new managers
Study finds increased engagement and readiness for new roles.
Codes and Standards | Aug 12, 2019
New curtain wall design guidelines released
AAMA document includes mandatory language, optional language, and detailed technical commentary.
Codes and Standards | Aug 9, 2019
Cities modify density zoning to spur more affordable housing projects
Solutions include eliminating single-family zoning and allowing taller apartments in higher-density zones.
Codes and Standards | Aug 8, 2019
More designers focusing on acoustic properties of buildings
Recognition that structures should be acoustically satisfying.
Codes and Standards | Aug 7, 2019
Illinois law makes all single-occupancy restrooms gender-neutral
All must comply by January 1.
Codes and Standards | Aug 6, 2019
New technology, aligning training with local trends among keys to workforce development
Construction industry must also invest in training, recruiting high school students.
Codes and Standards | Aug 1, 2019
Planners, city official rethink parking requirements on new projects
Reducing number of parking spots frees up land for ‘more purposeful’ uses.
Codes and Standards | Jul 31, 2019
USGBC-LA chooses first ‘Net Zero Accelerator’ technologies
Wide range of solutions address numerous environmental challenges.
Codes and Standards | Jul 30, 2019
Solar brokerage will provide financing for small/medium businesses
First to fund solar for smaller-scale commercial operations.