HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-02-2024; 8-e - Authorization to Utilize Construction Manager at Risk for the Orange County Crisis Diversion Facility Project 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: December 2, 2024
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-e
SUBJECT: Authorization to Utilize Construction Manager at Risk for the Orange County
Crisis Diversion Facility Project
DEPARTMENT: Asset Management Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) Connor Wilkins, Asset Management
Delivery Method Services Assistant Director, 919-
245-2689
Alan Dorman, Asset Management
Services Director, 919-245-2627
PURPOSE: To authorize the use of the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) project delivery
method for the Orange County Crisis Diversion Facility construction project.
BACKGROUND: Orange County is currently in the process of purchasing property to build a
Crisis Diversion Facility, a facility designed to divert individuals experiencing a behavioral health
crisis from hospital emergency departments and the County's Detention Center by offering:
1) behavioral health urgent care services for assessment, stabilization, treatment, and
aftercare planning for patients 4 years old and older; and
2) facility-based crisis services for adults for longer-term treatment.
At the September 17, 2024 Business meeting, the Orange County Board of Commissioners
approved a proposal from CPL to conduct preliminary and schematic-level design and analysis
services for developing the Crisis Diversion Facility.
In order to complete the construction of the Crisis Diversion Facility, the Board has to authorize
the use of a project delivery method. For large-scale construction projects, the four main project
delivery methods are:
a) Design Bid Build with Separate Prime Bidding
b) Design Bid Build with Single Prime Bidding
c) Construction Management at Risk (CMAR)
d) Design Build
Staff is recommending the use of a Construction Manager at Risk. Under this method of
contracting, the owner contracts directly with the designer and the CMAR, all of whom are selected
based on their demonstrated qualifications to design and construct the Crisis Diversion Facility.
The objective will be to engage with the CMAR as the schematic and developmental design of
the project begins in earnest to take advantage of scope and related cost information provided by
the CMAR. The CMAR method was used to develop and construct the Bonnie B. Davis
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Environmental and Agricultural Center, the Orange County Detention Center, and the County's
Parks Operation Base which were all delivered on schedule and budget.
The project program is developed as a collaborative partnership (County, Designer, CMAR)
through a pre-construction phase process and, when pricing is ultimately agreed to by the parties,
the CMAR establishes a Guaranteed Maximum Price ("GMP") which becomes the basis of the
CMAR contract which binds the project to the agreed upon price unless Orange County changes
the scope of the project in some manner. This method allows for significant, collaborative cost
analysis with the full benefit of the CMAR during the pre-construction phase to analyze cost-
benefit factors and appropriate value engineering throughout the design.
Once the Construction Management at Risk procurement process is authorized, a Request for
Qualifications (RFQ) will be issued by December 31, 2024 to obtain CMAR services. The RFQ
will allow for the County to enter into a contract with a qualified CMAR to construct the Crisis
Diversion Facility. After the closing of the RFQ process, a recommended firm will be presented to
the Board in March 2025 for contract approval.
Prior to the BOCC's authorization to construct the Crisis Diversion Facility, staff will present a
Guaranteed Maximum Price ("GMP") (featuring several construction alternates that will assist in
the flexibility of the project's construction) that the CMAR will commit to within the Agreement.
In accordance with North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 143-128.1(e), staff recommends that
the Board make a determination which allows the utilization of CMAR services. Staff has
determined that such utilization is in the best interest of the project, as the County has compared
the advantages and disadvantages of using the construction management at risk method for the
given project in lieu of other delivery methods identified in NCGS 143-128(a)(1) through NCGS
143-128(a1)(3).
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Although there is not a specific financial impact with this item, the FY 2024-
34 Capital Investment Plan (CIP) recommended $22,098,484 for the construction of the Crisis
Diversion Facility, along with $557,711 for furniture, fixtures, and equipment. A total of$1,100,000
was previously approved for the purchase of the property this fiscal year, and $2,047,155 was
approved last fiscal year for professional design services.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 2. Expand access to quality, affordable healthcare services. (e.g., Crisis
Diversion facility, Medicaid expansion, crisis response, healthy living campaign).
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board authorize the use of the
Construction Manager at Risk process for the Orange County Crisis Diversion Facility construction
project.
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The following information about the Construction Manager at Risk process for
procurement and building construction was compiled from Campbell County,
Wyoming, and Procore, a leading project management software company.
Construction Manager at Risk(CMAR)Delivery Method
Background
The Construction Manager at Risk(CMAR) is a delivery method which entails a commitment by
the Construction Manager(CM) to deliver the project within a Guaranteed Maximum Price
(GMP)which is based on the construction documents and specifications at the time of the GMP
plus any reasonably inferred items or tasks. The CMAR provides professional services and acts
as a consultant to the owner in the design development and construction phases. Often times, the
CMAR also provides some of the actual construction of the project depending on the availability
of bidders and the expertise the company has. In addition to acting in the owner's interest, the
CMAR must manage and control construction costs to not exceed the GMP because
contractually any costs exceeding the GMP that are not change orders are the financial liability
of the CMAR.
Generally, the CMAR will give the Owner a GMP after bidding the project. Included in this GMP
is a contingency line item to take care of bid overages, reasonably inferred items and other project
related items that may arise during construction.
Owner Benefits
This delivery method has several unique benefits to the Owner,including:
• A higher level of cost control from the start. A successful CMAR project would involve
hiring the CMAR prior to the architect and having the CMAR help select the architect.
During the design process,the CMAR provides cost estimates at contractually established
points. If these cost estimates are in line with the established budget, the architect then
moves on to the next phase of design. If not, the CMAR, Owner and Architect assess the
cost estimate and make design changes to bring the design back into budget alignment.
This process ensures budget success.
• The CMAR is an Owner advocate and manages the project with the Owner's best interest
in mind at all times.
• The CMAR takes burden off of the Owner in managing and coordinating the project.
• The Owner's risk is limited by the CMAR process providing the construction documents
are complete and proper allowances and contingencies are built into the GMP.
• Constructability and value to the Owner are afforded by the Value Engineering expertise
brought to the process by the CMAR.
• CMAR services are professional services like architectural, engineering, surveying, etc.
The CMAR's main purpose is not to construct the project,but to manage the construction
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of the project. This management focus adds much value to the project.
It is important to keep in mind that an adverse CMAR-Architect relationship can lead to some of
the same issues that arise in a design-bid-build delivery method. By having the CMAR help
select the Architect, the risk of an adverse relationship is minimized.
As with any delivery method, incomplete and/or inaccurate construction drawings will result in
change orders. The misunderstanding associated with the GMP is that this maximum price will
not be exceeded in any case. It is important to understand that the GMP is based on the plans and
specifications at the time of the GMP with some reasonable assumptions made and a reasonable
contingency included. Major changes in scope will result in a change order, which increases the
GMP contract. In addition, any Owner changes to the project and scope require a change order.
By requiring the documents by 100% complete prior to receiving the GMP, the risk of
unanticipated change orders are minimized.