The committee’s decision to advance six firms reflects a strategic approach to ensure a variety of options as they proceed with the construction management at risk process. During deliberations, several members expressed the necessity of selecting firms with proven experience in public school projects. There was a discussion regarding the firm Commodore, which, despite a strong relationship with the town and successful past projects, was ultimately not advanced due to its limited public school experience and concerns over team cohesion and past performance.

The committee emphasized the need for firms with robust experience in managing school construction projects. The decision to invite six firms to the RFP stage, instead of a minimum of three, was made to ensure a comprehensive selection process. This approach allows for contingencies such as potential withdrawals or scheduling conflicts during the interview phase.

In addition to advancing the firms, the committee scheduled a briefing session for the construction management firms to familiarize themselves with the school property and surrounding area. This session is set to occur on the upcoming Thursday and aims to provide the firms with essential site information to assist in preparing their proposals.

The meeting also covered logistical details for the RFP process, including setting a submission deadline and outlining the interview schedule. The committee expressed a willingness to adjust timelines if necessary, emphasizing flexibility in response to any arising issues or additional information needs.

Finally, during public comments, a local resident inquired about the scope of the site walk-through, which was clarified to be limited to school grounds, focusing on familiarizing firms with the project scope without extending into neighboring properties. The next committee meeting was scheduled for early December to finalize preparatory steps ahead of the interviews.