Wicomico County Public Schools

Wicomico Middle School Replacement Project

RFQ (Part 1 of 2)

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: RFQ 90600-263

ARCHITECTURE / ENGINEERING SERVICES

February 13, 2026

Issuing Office:

Wicomico County Public Schools Rick Konrad, NIGP-CPP, CPPO – Procurement Manager purchasing@mywcps.org / cc: rkonrad@mywcps.org mailto:purchasing@mywcps.org mailto:rkonrad@mywcps.org

Wicomico Middle School Replacement RFQ 90600-263: A/E Services Wicomico County Public Schools -2 of 11-

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

RFQ #: 90600-263

Architectural / Engineering Services

Wicomico Middle School:

Replacement Project

• SECTION I

Summary and RFQ Requirements

• SECTION II

General Information and Scope of Services

• SECTION III

Schedule

• SECTION IV

Required Information

• SECTION V

Selection Process

Attachment:

o Attachment 1: Wicomico Middle School Feasibility Study Waiver Request with Exhibits 1-5

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Section I Summary and RFQ Requirements

A. Summary:

Wicomico County Public Schools (WCPS) is requesting qualifications from Professional Architectural Firms for services related to the following project:

B. Architectural & Engineering Services for the design of Wicomico Middle School

Replacement Project.

C. A/E RFQ Requirements:

1. Electronic submissions must be uploaded in PDF format to the Euna/Bonfire portal no later than 2:00 p.m. (EST) on March 13, 2026.

2. It shall remain the responsibility of the firm to ensure your submission is uploaded to the Euna/Bonfire portal on or before the deadline. Confirmation of receipt will be provided to those received. Late submissions will NOT be accepted.

3. WCPS is not responsible for submissions not adequately labeled or identified, lost in delivery / file transfer, or otherwise received after the deadline.

4. WCPS reserves the right to reject any or all submissions and waive formalities, informalities, and technicalities therein. WCPS reserves the right to contact a firm for clarifications and may at its sole discretion allow the firm to correct any and all formalities, informalities, and technicalities in the best interest of WCPS. To change and/or cancel in part or in its entirety any elements of this RFQ. To extend or change the submission deadline and/or schedule. To request additional information from any of the submitting firms regarding this RFQ. Make selections with or without negotiations. WCPS will not be liable for any costs incurred by firms in preparation of response to these procedures or in answering this RFQ.

5. WCPS will not be liable for any costs incurred by firms in preparation of responding to these procedures or in answering this RFQ.

6. Please direct all questions and inquiries regarding this RFQ to purchasing@mywcps.org, cc: rkonrad@mywcps.org. Last day to submit questions regarding this RFQ for clarification is March 6, 2026. Clarifications will be issued via addendum and posted to the Euna/Bonfire portal. If needed, the final addendum will be posted at least three (3) working days prior to the submission deadline. It is the responsibility of the proposer to find and acknowledge all addenda.

D. Contract Considerations

The final terms of the Owner / Architect Agreement will be based on AIA Document B133 - 2019 Edition (or most recent). Example contract documents will be provided as part of the Request for Proposal (RFP) – Part 2 process. Final terms and conditions of the agreement shall be established as part of the final negotiations after a firm is selected.

https://wicomicoschools.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities https://wicomicoschools.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities https://wicomicoschools.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities mailto:purchasing@mywcps.org mailto:rkonrad@mywcps.org https://wicomicoschools.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

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Section II General Information and Scope of Services

A. General Information:

A Scope Study was completed in July 2024 and approved by the Board of Education in August 2024 in support of an Off-Site Replacement School (Concept 4). A Feasibility Study Waiver with supporting Exhibits 1-5 (Attachment 1 of this RFQ) was submitted to the Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC), approved January 2026. Next steps:

1. Educational Specification (Ed Spec) for:

a) 6th-8th Middle School

b) Provide an overall schedule for development

c) Committee meetings and presentations

d) Follow PSCP/IAC requirements and guidelines for documentation & submission

2. Design and Engineering for:

a) Replacement 6th-8th Middle School on TBD ~20-30 acre site

b) 930 students (State Rated Capacity).

c) Anticipated at approximately 142,000 GSF

d) Existing school to remain operational during the duration of construction

e) High Performance requirement of igCC, Green Globes, or LEED Silver

B. Scope of Services:

1. Educational Specification (Ed Spec) – Design services necessary to complete the ed spec including, but not limited to, committee meetings and presentations. The design team is expected to come up with a schedule, conduct a series of meetings with stakeholders to discuss project scope, and work with the WCPS Leadership Team and Wicomico Middle School Ed Spec Committee to develop spatial requirements for a new Wicomico Middle School.

The ed spec is required to be presented to the School Building Commission and Wicomico County Board of Education at meetings scheduled by WCPS. The ed spec document must meet all requirements in Section 3.E. Educational Specifications (Ed Specs) of the State of Maryland IAC Administrative Procedures Guide and additional requirements, identified in the Maryland Public School Facilities Educational Sufficiency Standards and the Maryland State Department of Education School Facilities Guidelines.

2. Full A/E Services - Services to be provided include customary architectural services and related civil, landscape, structural, and MEP engineering. Additional disciplines are also necessary and are listed in the required information portion of this RFQ. All services shall be included in the Architect’s scope by either in-house specialists or consultants who are licenses and/or certified as applicable for their area of expertise.

These services include but are not limited to verification / documentation of existing conditions based upon as-builts as necessary, compliance with applicable codes, appropriate design calculations for all building systems, development of appropriate drawings and specifications that document the design as well as assistance in the https://iac.mdschoolconstruction.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IAC-APG-May-8-2025.pdf https://iac.mdschoolconstruction.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/14.39.02.07.pdf https://iac.mdschoolconstruction.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/14.39.02.07.pdf https://iac.mdschoolconstruction.org/?page_id=2131 https://iac.mdschoolconstruction.org/?page_id=2131

Wicomico County Public Schools -5 of 11-development of bidding packages and on-site construction inspection / observation and contract administration.

3. In accordance with State Finance and Procurement Article, §3-602.1, Annotated Code of Maryland this project must be designed as a high performance building and requires the use of green building technologies as established in the High-Performance Green Building Program by the Maryland Green Building Council. WCPS expects the design team to evaluate the three approved green building rating programs or codes and provide a recommendation for the most economical option.

a) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a program of the U.S.

Green Building Council (Silver);

b) International Green Construction Code (IgCC), one of the codes of the International

Code Council or

c) The Green Globes protocol of the Green Building Initiative.

4. Submissions - State funding is anticipated for this project. The A/E is responsible for coordinating with the WCPS staff and making the required WCPS and IAC/PSCP submissions.

5. Coordination - The selected A/E will coordinate its work with the WCPS Facility Planner on behalf of the Director of Facility Services.

6. Project Delivery - WCPS anticipates selecting a Construction Manager at Risk before the Design Development phase and the A/E will be responsible for coordinating with the selected CMr throughout the entire project. WCPS anticipates determining the final GMP budget during the Construction Document phase.

C. Confidential/Proprietary Information:

1. All information, documentation, and other materials submitted in response to this solicitation are considered non-confidential and/or non-proprietary and are subject to public disclosure.

2. Proposers should give specific attention to the identification of those portions of their

Proposals which they deem to be confidential, proprietary information or trade secrets, and provide justification of why such materials, upon request, should not be disclosed by the State under the Access to Public Records Act, State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 6 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. (It is NOT acceptable to preface your entire proposal with a proprietary statement).

3. Any request for review of competitors submissions after the selection process is complete will result in all submissions being provided to all vendors who submitted.

4. Technical data, confidential commercial and financial information may be protected from disclosure subject to the provisions of the Maryland PIA, provided the proposal properly identifies the confidential information Proposers may be required to submit a redacted version of the proposal that reflects which information you seek to protect from disclosure for confidential technical data and/or commercial/financial reasons within 5 working days to purchasing@mywcps.org. Final determination of whether such records will be disclosed, whether in redacted or unredacted form, is within the sole discretion of the Wicomico County Public Schools.

https://dgs.maryland.gov/Pages/GreenBuilding/HighPerformanceProgram.aspx https://dgs.maryland.gov/Pages/GreenBuilding/HighPerformanceProgram.aspx mailto:purchasing@mywcps.org

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5. WCPS reserves the right to seek reimbursement of Professional Services Fees from the Interagency Commission (IAC) on School Construction which may require submission of final fee/price proposal and/or AIA/DBIA Contract for IAC member approval.

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Section III Schedule

Item Start Date End Date RFQ Available 2/13/26

Questions Due 3/6/26 RFQ Due 3/13/26 A/E Committee Review 3/13/26 3/20/26

Short List Notification 3/26/26 RFP Available (dates tentative) 3/30/26 RFP Due 5/8/26 A/E Committee Review 5/8/26 5/15/26 Interviews 6/1/26 6/1/26 Selection Notification & Negotiations 6/1/26 7/7/26 WCBOE Approval 7/14/26 *Ed Spec 8/1/26 1/13/27

SBC Meeting 10/22/26 Board Work Session 12/15/26 Board Approval 1/12/27 Submit to State 1/13/27

Schematic Design June 2028 - August 2028 CMr Selection Process June 2028 - October 2028 Design Development September 2028 - February 2029 Construction Document February 2029 - September 2029 Bid October 2029 - December 2029 Construction of New School March 2030 - May 2032 Move In Summer 2032 Occupy 2032/2033 School Year

NOTE: All dates are tentative and subject to change.

*Project continuation beyond this point contingent upon site selection, and receipt of funding.

Project will likely go on hold for a period of time after Ed Spec. Future design stages will also be contingent upon approval of Local Planning by the State.

Every effort will be made to adhere to the early parts of this schedule, but dates are subject to extension in the event that further clarifications are needed in the best interest of WCPS.

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Section IV Required Information

A. Required Information:

1. Upload one (1) PDF file not larger than 20 MB to the Euna/Bonfire portal. The digital format of all submissions shall be within an 8-1/2” x 11” format. Please avoid redundant and repetitious material and limit the overall submittal package to approximately 50 pages (excluding dividers).

2. Provide a single file proposal with a Cover Letter as required below and subsequent numbered dividers or PDF Bookmarks as outlined:

The Cover Letter shall be prepared by and jointly signed by the Principal / Partner in charge and the proposed Project Manager / Architect for this project and shall address the following:

a) Why do you believe your firm and the individuals assigned are well-matched to perform the scope of services for WCPS.

b) What special qualities / attributes do you and your firm possess that would provide a better-quality performance for this project?

c) Specific examples of how other public school systems have benefited because of your association with their construction program.

d) Also include the following information (if not already included on letterhead):

1) Name of Firm

2) Address

3) Telephone Number

4) Name and Title of Contact Person (including email address)

5) Website address

3. Section 1: Standard Form 330, Part I & Part II

a) In Part I please include the following additional information:

1) Section D: Organizational Chart of Proposed Team o Include all consultants and sub-consultants and their firm’s information (similar to the Cover Letter requirements listed above) o Include as a minimum how the following services would be provided, by whom, and identify if the firm is MBE/WBE/DBE. Also include documentation of professional licensure (for the State of Maryland) as required by the applicable discipline:

Acoustical Architectural Civil Cost Estimating Electrical Food Service Furniture Lighting Life Cycle Cost Analysis as required by IAC

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Mechanical & Plumbing Specification Writer Structural

2) Clearly identify the following specific project team members (as a minimum) and their responsibilities for this project scope:

o Principal / Partner in Charge o Project Manager / Architect (Owner’s main point of contact)

Identify any other professionals or staff members who will be an integral part of the Architectural design team.

o MEP Project Manager / Engineer Identify any other professionals or staff members who will be an integral part of the MEP design team.

o Structural Project Manager / Engineer Identify any other professionals or staff members who will be an integral part of the Structural design team.

o Civil Project Manager / Engineer

Identify any other professionals or staff members who will be an integral part of the Civil design team.

o Specification Writer *Note that the Spec Writer is not required at the interview

Please note if shortlisted, the WCPS will require the above identified main team members to be present in the RFP (Part 2) interview.

b) Section F: Example Projects

1) Include projects (no more than 5 in total) that document previous experience directly related to any of the following (preference will be given to projects that cover all four bullet points):

o Middle Schools o Maryland Public Schools – IAC/PSCP o High Performance Schools o Construction Management at Risk Project Delivery

2) Provide at least three (3) references within the example projects (Project Owner’s Information) o Include contact name, phone number, and email address.

o The three references should be in addition to any previous work done with WCPS.

3) Provide at least two (2) additional references from either a General Contractor or Construction Manager that you have worked with previously.

o Include contact name, phone number, and email address.

c) Section H: Provide the following additional Information:

1) Lead firm & major consultant’s IAC/PSCP experience and knowledge regarding development and documentation of all design phases and required submissions.

2) Lead firm’s available in-house professional services (and any exclusions)

3) Professional Association Membership. List the team members who are actively participating by attending either meetings, additional training, or conferences within the last 12 months (potentially, but not limited to the following):

o American Institute of Architects (AIA) o APPA – Leadership in Educational Facilities o Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) o Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) o Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) o Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) o Green Building Initiative (GBI)

Wicomico County Public Schools -10 of 11-o US Green Building Council (USGBC)

4) Awards and Honors specifically related to school projects.

5) Available workforce for the lead firm and major consultant’s taking into consideration WCPS’ schedule and the proposed team’s backlog as follows:

o Backlog or pending projects that are anticipated to begin within the next twelve

(12) months.

o Construction value of the above noted project backlog and current status / phase of the work and anticipated Completion date.

o Capacity/Availability of staff as a percentage based on above noted backlog over the next twelve (12) months.

4. Section 2: Technological Capabilities & Compatibility

Provide an Overview of the Proposed Team’s Technological Capabilities & Compatibility including but not limited to the following:

a) Information regarding the lead firm’s and major consultant’s building information modeling (BIM) capabilities, specifically what type of application used and make note of your Firm’s position regarding the use of the BIM data through design and construction.

Requirement: WCPS is requiring BIM to be utilized throughout all phases of the project.

1) WCPS uses Newforma Project Center software. The proposed team is expected to integrate/connect with this software for design submissions, document transfers as well as Submittals, RFIs, ASI, etc. as the project moves forward with construction.

2) WCPS uses AutoCAD & Revit, if proposed team uses a different application, please note what type of compatible electronic files can be provided to WCPS.

3) Presentation Capabilities included but not limited to graphic renderings and 3-D animation / modeling.

5. Section 3: Billable Rates, Schedule & Insurance Information, etc.

a) Billable hourly rates for all personnel and applicable title

b) Multiplier for outside consultants, not to exceed 10%.

c) Typical reimbursable expenses (identify inclusions or exclusions and any applicable mark-ups)

• Note: Eligible reimbursable expenses include general reproduction copies and drawing prints, postage, and delivery. Mileage, meals, and presentation boards are not considered reimbursable expenses by WCPS.

d) Provide a description of your design process and how the scope of work will be accomplished including the coordination of the design team and WCPS.

e) Provide a list of milestone / deliverables coordinated with the schedule provided by WCPS. Make note of any revisions to the WCPS schedule based upon your review.

f) Statement of Professional Liability and General Liability Insurance and Limits of Coverage.

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Section V Selection Process

A. Selection Process:

This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is part 1 of a two-step selection process for WCPS to select an Architecture / Engineering Team to provide professional design and consultation services for the Wicomico Middle School Replacement project, which is outlined as follows:

1. Request for Qualifications (RFQ) - Part 1:

a) Evaluation of Qualification Submissions

1) Minimum Evaluation Criteria for Short-List Selection:

2) Proposed Project Team

3) Overall Form and Format of Submission (including ability to be concise and brief)

4) K-12 Experience (with an emphasis on Middle Schools & with the IAC/PSCP)

5) Firm’s Project Specific Information & References

6) High Performance Design Project Experience

7) Technology Capabilities & Compatibility

8) Workload and Availability

9) Construction Management at Risk Project Delivery Experience

b) Short List of Best Qualified Firms will be notified by WCPS and will be invited to Interview & submit an RFP (Request for Proposal).

2. Request for Proposal (RFP) - Part 2:

a) Invitation to Short List Firms & Notification of RFP (Part 2) Requirements

b) Interview Presentation (including Fee & Service Proposal) www.wicomicoschools.org

The Wicomico County Board of Education prohibits illegal discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, immigration status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, family/parental status, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, poverty and socioeconomic status, language, or other legally or constitutionally protected attributes or affiliations and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other Title 36 designated youth groups. Discrimination undermines our community’s long-standing efforts to create, foster and promote equity, inclusion and acceptance for all.

Dr. Brian Raygor Chief Finance & Operations Officer

Division of Business & Operations

October 2, 2025

Interagency Commission on School Construction 351 West Camden Street, Suite 701 Baltimore, Maryland 21201

RE: Wicomico Middle School – Feasibility Study Waiver Request

To Whom It May Concern:

Wicomico County Public Schools (WCPS) has requested Project Development & Design Funding from the IAC as part of our FY2027 CIP submission for the Priority #3 Wicomico Middle School Replacement project. A Scope Study (Exhibit 1) was completed using a standard middle school educational specification for 930 students housed in a 142,000 GSF building on a 30-acre site. An off-site replacement is proposed allowing the existing historic building to be repurposed in the future for other WCPS programs.

The replacement project allows WCPS to improve our overall school facility portfolio, design a right sized building to meet the educational program, and reduce operational costs through energy efficiency and future program consolidation. The target budget is $98,729,000 (without escalation) with a goal of school occupancy and project completion Summer 2031.

WCPS submits this letter to request an exception to the Feasibility Study requirement pursuant to Section 3.F.7. of the Administrative Procedures Guide. Below describes the significant deficiencies of the existing building which preclude renovation or addition.

Program Deficiencies Built in 1931 with additions in 1956-1958, 1967, and 1976 as well as miscellaneous systemic renovations over the years, the existing building is in the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties. Originally designed and operated as a high school, it does not meet the needs of the middle school educational program with space deficiencies, inadequate circulation paths, accessibility issues, and building code concerns. The layout provides inconsistent classroom groupings down narrow, non-program related corridors and across multiple floors accessed via constricting stairwells. All students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade intermingle in the narrow halls and stairwells during class changes, providing administrative oversite challenges and increased opportunities for student conflict. The building prohibits grade level grouping to meet instructional needs.

The existing building program is deficient by over 17,000 SF, as noted on Exhibit 2 and seen in Exhibit 3, in meeting the needs for a 21st Century Learning environment.

- Administration, Nurse, & Guidance - The Administration office is detached from the main entrance, lacking front entry visual security and is extremely undersized. A secure vestibule has been added as a safety initiative, but the configuration allows multiple points of access. The nurse’s suite is across the hall from administration and disconnected from other health services provided on-site. When a community partner identified this location for a School Based Health Center, a portable was added because the existing building could not accommodate the program. Guidance is located on the 2nd floor in a tight repurposed space. The location creates inefficiency in workflows and shared spaces such as conference rooms, student record storage, testing storage, staff offices, etc.

Attachment 1 http://www.wicomicoschools.org/

- Classrooms - Most classrooms are undersized such as Foreign Language, ESOL, Science, Special Education, Art & Music Education, Technology Education, FACS, and Health while others such as Math, Social Studies, and Computer are oversized due to the size of existing classrooms in the 1931 building. All classrooms are spread across multiple floors, accessed via tight corridors and remote stairwells. There are five (5) relocatable classrooms on site to compensate for insufficient educational capacity needs.

- Special Education / Instructional Support - The building lacks space to support the needs of the current 18 #C/S/W-level Special Education student population, which WCPS’s Special Education department indicates will continue to grow. Due to accessibility issues within this historic building, students with physical disabilities are often provided accommodation at other middle schools instead of matriculating with their peers to the middle school within their feeder pattern. There are limited instructional support areas with no dedicated space for Office Referrals, Behavior Intervention Specialist, Work-It-Out Room, De-Escalation Room, and In School Suspension.

- Gymnasium - The detached gymnasium is located down a long unconditioned, ramped hallway with exterior exits creating safety/security concerns. While the gymnasium itself is undersized to serve the current student population, the Physical Education instruction area is oversized due to large unused shower areas and locker rooms.

- Cafeteria - The Cafeteria is not ADA accessible and at a different elevation than the 1st and 2nd floors. Access requires going up stairs to the 2nd floor and then down multiple stairs to the partially below grade space. Dining space is extremely undersized, requiring 4 lunch shifts to accommodate the student population with students eating as early as 11:03am.

- Auditorium - Its location on the 2nd floor hinders access by the public for after-hour events and creates security challenges. Original wall partition in the back of the space is not ideal for instruction.

The existing school does not support the current middle school program or the needs of the community in which it serves.

Renovation & Addition Challenges The current Wicomico Middle School will be an average age of 49 years by 2026. Systems have been partially replaced throughout the years as they have reached the end of useful life and funds have been available. Limitations of a major renovation and addition include:

- Historic Preservation - Cost prohibitive measures to preserve the historically significant front façade. Coordination with the Maryland Historical Trust to see if demolition of the historical building to meet programmatic needs would even be allowed.

- Site Constraints - There is inadequate acreage at the existing site to support deficiencies and no opportunity for expansion. The existing site is 50% of what is required for a middle school while necessary stormwater management, sediment / erosion control, and forestation practices would occupy already limited acres.

- Energy Efficiency - Acreage limitations remove the possibility of geothermal and minimizes opportunities for NZE to support reduced operational costs and energy goals.

- Phasing / Swing Space - Extensive and costly on-site swing space (relocatables - purchased or leased) and project phasing would be required, disrupting instruction multiple years for this student population. Construction duration will also be longer and result in higher contractor general conditions / general requirement expenses.

- HVAC - The existing system includes gas fired furnaces, lacks energy recovery and does not provide adequate conditioning for air ventilation. A major renovation and addition would require replacement of the entire system and electrical system upgrades to support.

- Electrical & Lighting System - Upgrades would be needed to provide adequate lighting levels and additional operational efficiencies. Components are past their useful life. Need for upgraded electrical service and branch wiring, both original to the building, to support new lighting and new mechanical system.

- Plumbing - Majority of restrooms do not meet accessibility requirements or needs of the school. Fixtures, finishes, accessories, and partitions have reached the end of their useful life and require replacement.

- Windows / Doors / Hardware – Majority are beyond useful life. Need for new insulated, energy efficient windows and storefronts. Replacement in the existing building would require costly masonry repairs.

WCPS has explored a renovation and addition option to meet the educational program needs of this learning community, albeit with remaining deficiencies and potential costly hurdles due to the building’s historical significance. Renovating this building would also require the relocation of the faculty and student body into relocatables (purchased or leased) during a multi-phase construction project, adding cost and time to the schedule. A replacement option would allow WCPS to right size the building to meet the needs of the student population, have economies of scale, value, and time.

Building Condition WCPS has a facility condition database based upon third-party assessments conducted by licensed professionals. These assessments create consistent and comparable data across our building portfolio. This data is used as a component to prioritize major capital projects. Wicomico Middle is identified as the next major capital improvement project with one of the highest FCI scores of all WCPS buildings at 59%. According to IAC SFA data, Wicomico Middle has the 2nd highest FCI at 73% with noted deficiencies in HVAC, Ceiling, Interior Doors & Hardware, Life Safety, Plumbing Fixtures, Program Support Equipment, Relocatable, and Site categories. Based on the above, renovating the existing Wicomico Middle would be greater than the cost of replacement and still include deficiencies. WCPS respectfully submits this Feasibility Study waiver request.

On behalf of the students, staff, parents, and various community partners of Wicomico County Public Schools, thank you for your time and consideration as you present this request to the designees for consideration and approval. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you need additional information.

Respectfully, Ms. Leisl Ashby, AIA, CCS, NCARB Director | Planning + Construction Wicomico County Public Schools cc: Dr. Brian Raygor, Chief Finance & Operations Officer, WCPS Ms. Cayla Campbell, Facilities Planner, WCPS

Encl: Exhibit 1 – WMS Scoping Study Exhibit 2 – WMS Existing Building Space & Ed Spec Exhibit 3 – WMS Photo Deficiencies Exhibit 4 – WMS Site Plan Exhibit 5 – WMS Floor Plans Exhibit 6 – WMS Feasibilisty Study Submission Checklist

Wicomico Middle School

SCOPE STUDY

Wicomico County Public Schools

Becker Morgan Group, Inc.

July 2024

Exhibit 1Attachment 1

Wicomico Middle School Scope Study July 2024

THE SCOPE STUDY

In June 2023, Wicomico County Public Schools contracted with Becker Morgan Group, Inc. and Gipe

Associates, Inc. to prepare a scope study to consider the value of the exis*ng Wicomico Middle School facility and analyze project op*ons that address improvement strategies of mul*ple building systems as well as the program needs of the school.

The four op*ons studied are:

1. Con*nua*on of systemic renova*ons

2. Major renova*ons and addi*ons

3. Replacement school on-site

4. Replacement school off-site

Wicomico County’s Middle School space program for 930 students, provided by Wicomico County Public

Schools, establishes a space requirement of 141,171 gross feet for a new Wicomico County middle school facility. A 142,000 gross square foot building on a 30 acre site was used as a baseline requirement for project op*ons studied.

WICOMICO MIDDLE SCHOOL

Wicomico Middle School (WMS) is listed as a historical building in the Maryland Historical Trust and a thorough building history is provided in the 2013 Feasibility Study.

The following informa*on, provided by Wicomico County Public Schools, is iden*fied in the Facility

Assessment for Wicomico Middle School. The assessment report is provided as an a;achment to this document.

Facility Status: FQI 52 / FCI 51 / PI 1

2023 Enrollment: 800

2028 Projected Enrollment: 913

2032 Projected Enrollment: 955

State-rated Capacity: 914

U*liza*on %: 90%

Wicomico Middle School is approximately 130,147 GSF.

The school site is iden*fied in the 2013 Feasibility Study as 14.87 acres, no*ng a discrepancy with informa*on displayed in Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxa*on Documents. The study also noted the site was undersized to support a middle school program for seven hundred students.

The 2013 Feasibility Study iden*fies building renova*ons and system upgrades undertaken from 1930 through 2013. Since then, WCPS has undertaken the following projects.

• 2014 HVAC Renova*ons

• 2016 Roof Replacements

• 2018 Secure Ves*bule Upgrades

• 2018 Two-Classroom Modular with Accessible Ramp and Walkways

• 2019 HVAC Renova*ons

• 2019 FACS Renova*ons

Projects underway Summer 2023:

• Flooring Replacement at First Floor

• Extruded Aluminum Canopies at the Bus Loop

• Security Camera Installa*ons

• Fire Alarm Replacement

• Structural Inves*ga*ons of Flooring Substrates in the 1930 Building

Current/Future projects:

• Summer 2024 Floor Replacement and Structural Repairs at Second Floor

• Summer 2025 Floor Replacement and Structural Repairs at Third Floor

BUILDING LAYOUT AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM DEFICIENCIES IN THE CURRENT FACILITY

Building layout and educa*on program deficiencies detailed in the 2013 Feasibility Study are s*ll relevant. Primary deficiencies include the following:

• There is no accessible route to the cafeteria.

• The travel path from the main entrance to the cafeteria requires travel up a stairway to the second floor, then travel down mul*ple stairways to the cafeteria which is located at a different eleva*on than the first floor.

• The gymnasium, media center, and cafeteria are not easily accessed from the main entrance.

• The primary Administra*ve Suite is not adjacent to the main entrance.

• The Auditorium, not required in a middle school program, is on the second floor and exi*ng does not comply with current code.

• The Guidance Suite is on the second floor rather than adjacent to the Administra*ve Suite.

• The Wellness Center, In-School-Suspension classroom, and Special Educa*on classrooms are in portables/modulars.

EDUCATIONAL SPECIFICATION COMPARISON

Becker Morgan compared net square footage (NSF) of the exis*ng Wicomico Middle School (WMS) against Wicomico County’s Middle School Educa*onal Specifica*on (MSES) for 930 students. Summary results are displayed in the tables on the following pages.

ACTIVITY AREA SUMMARY (7/26/23 spa al summary)

Ac*vity Area MSES NSF

(1)

WMS

Exis*ng NSF

WMS

Variance

NSF

Compliance

Determina*on

Administra*on 3,390 2,269 -1,121 64% undersized

Custodial Service 1,360 1,411 51 104% rightsized

Food Service 8,490 6,645 -1,845 78% undersized

Guidance 1,400 1,152 -248 82% undersized

Health Office 840 (3) 693 -147 83% undersized

Instruc*on Programs (2) 68,820 60,727 -8,093 88% undersized

Instruc*onal Support 9,150 (4) 3,041 -6,109 33% undersized

Media Center 5,370 5,036 -334 94% undersized

TOTAL: 98,820 80,974 -17,846 82% UNDERSIZED

Notes:

(1) Middle School Program for 930 students.

(2) See Instruc*onal Program Area Breakdown table for addi*onal detail.

(3) Excludes Wellness Center portable.

(4) Excludes Auditorium NSF except Stage.

(5) Excludes Greenhouse structure.

(6) Excludes mul*ple program spaces housed in portables.

(7) Excludes program in portable.

The total net square footage for WMS excludes 3,600 NSF of program space in five (5) portables, 160 NSF at the Greenhouse, and 5,439 NSF in the Auditorium. WMS falls short of the MSES space program requirements by 17,846 NSF.

Ac vity Area Findings:

1. Administra*on and Food Service ac*vity areas are extremely undersized.

2. Instruc*onal Support ac*vity areas are extremely undersized.

Net square footage of program areas included in Instruc*on Programs are detailed in the table below.

INSTRUCTION PROGRAMS AREA BREAKDOWN (7/26/23 spa al summary)

Instruc*on Program MSES NSF

(1)

WMS

Exis*ng NSF

WMS

Variance

NSF

Compliance

Determina*on

RELA 9,950 10,437 487 105% rightsized

Foreign Language 1,600 931 -669 58% undersized

ESOL 1,600 0 -1,600 0% undersized

Social Studies 4,800 5,130 330 107% oversized

Math 7,200 8,848 1,648 123% oversized

Science 8,100 (5) 7,050 -1,050 87% undersized

Special Educa*on 2,670 (6) 994 -1,676 37% undersized

In-School-Suspension 450 (7) 0 -450 0% undersized

Art Educa*on 2,700 1,378 -1,322 51% undersized

Music Educa*on 6,450 2,961 -3,489 46% undersized

Technology Educa*on 3,000 2,167 -833 72% undersized

FACS 1,700 1,077 -623 63% undersized

Instruc*on Program-cont. MSES NSF

(1)

WMS

Exis*ng NSF

WMS

Variance

NSF

Compliance

Determina*on

Physical Educa*on 14,700 16,073 1,373 109% oversized

Health Educa*on 1,900 1,485 -415 78% undersized

Computer Educa*on 2,000 2,196 196 110% oversized

TOTAL: 68,820 60,727 -8,093 88% UNDERSIZED

Notes: See Ac*vity Area Summary Notes.

Instruc on Programs Findings:

1. Foreign Language, ESOL, Science, Special Educa*on, In-School-Suspension, Art Educa*on, Music

Educa*on, Technology Educa*on, FACS, and Health Educa*on instruc*on programs are extremely undersized.

2. The Math instruc*on program is extremely oversized because it includes twelve classrooms versus nine allo;ed in the MSES program.

3. The Social Studies instruc*on program is mildly oversized due to the generous size of exis*ng classrooms in the 1930 building.

4. The Physical Educa*on instruc*on area is oversized due to large unused shower areas in both locker rooms.

5. The Computer Educa*on instruc*on area is oversized due to the generous size of the exis*ng classrooms in the 1930 building.

Conclusion:

Net square footage of Wicomico Middle School Ac*vity Areas is less than the requirements iden*fied in

Wicomico County’s Middle School Educa*onal Specifica*on; therefore, the exis*ng facility does not accommodate a middle school program for 930 students.

PROJECT OPTIONS

CONCEPT 1: CONTINUATION OF SYSTEMIC RENOVATIONS

In this project scenario, Wicomico County Public Schools will con*nue ongoing systemic renova*ons.

When and if funding is available, HVAC systems will be updated/replaced, and WCPS will undertake electrical and building system upgrades in the project area. Poten*al building system upgrades include the following:

1. Exterior and interior window replacements

2. Interior and exterior door replacements

3. Furring and insula*ng exterior walls

4. Pain*ng

5. Ceiling replacement

6. Flooring replacement

7. ADA upgrades: toilet rooms, door hardware, accessible room entrances

Because systems have been par*ally replaced as individual projects at different *mes, much of the equipment is a different age. Therefore, systems will con*nue to fail at different *mes as each piece of equipment reaches the end of its useful service life. Assuming con*nued upda*ng/replacement of systems as they fail, the building will need con*nuous maintenance of systems every 5 to 10 years. For example, much of the system consists of packaged direct expansion (DX) cooling roof top units with gas fired furnaces. These types of systems have a useful service life of 15-20 years. The gym rooMop units were installed in 2003 and are at the end of their useful service life, which would be this year (2023).

Other rooMop/outdoor air handling units were replaced in 2010 and would expect to be replaced between 2025 and 2030, only a few years aMer the gym units. Other rooMop units were replaced in 2011 and will need to be replaced between 2026 and 2031. So, the system will con*nue to age with units needing to be replaced “leap frogging” and requiring maintenance/replacement on a con*nuous schedule. In addi*on to the exterior units, the interior units will con*nue to age and will require replacement. If classroom unit ven*lators are simply replaced as they fail, this will con*nue at regular intervals for several years un*l all units are replaced. Like the rooMop equipment, this will lead to the units “leap frogging” or the first units replaced reaching end of service life and needing replacement again shortly aMer the oldest units s*ll in service are replaced. It should be noted that simply replacing the unit ven*lators in kind does not address space ven*la*on and the lack of energy recovery and adequate condi*oning for ven*la*on air. To properly accomplish the ven*la*on air should be decoupled from the unit ven*lators and provided through dedicated outside air system (DOAS) units.

In addi*on to con*nuous maintenance, it should be noted that the units do not incorporate energy recovery technology. This results in opera*ng costs being con*nuously higher for the middle school than buildings that do incorporate energy recovery technology. Should the school system ever choose to undertake system improvements to incorporate energy recovery, we recommend that the system be decoupled to separate the provision of ven*la*on air from the terminal equipment used for comfort condi*oning in the space.

Another considera*on is that much of the building is older and was not designed for ducted HVAC systems. The structure and ceiling height will make providing decoupled ven*la*on systems difficult to provide.

This op*on does not provide a comprehensive approach to addressing the aging plumbing systems.

Much of the domes*c water distribu*on and sanitary piping are original to their installa*on dates. This piping is past its useful service life and should be replaced. This op*on also does not provide a comprehensive approach to providing plumbing fixtures compliant with Americans with Disabili*es Act

(ADA) requirements. At a minimum, if this op*on is selected, we recommend that a double check valve assembly be provided on the main incoming domes*c water piping for protec*on of the city water supply. We also recommend, at a minimum, providing a dedicated booster water heater to provide 140-degree Fahrenheit domes*c hot water to serve the kitchen.

The fire protec*on system does not extend to the connec*ng corridor between the gymnasium and main building. There are no standpipes at the stage and no dedicated sprinkler protec*on for the space below the stage. If this op*on is con*nued, we recommend that these issues be reviewed and addressed.

Due to the electrical systems being par*ally updated/replaced as individual projects at different *mes, much of the equipment is of a different age. For example, the 120/208V distribu*on panelboard and many of the branch panelboards have exceeded their useful service life, while the 277/480V main switchboard and several branch panelboards that were added for computer loads in 1999 have not.

Wai*ng for panelboards to fail prior to replacing them would cause disrup*ve power outages un*l replacement panelboards can be installed, which may impact the user’s ability to occupy the building.

Lead *mes for electrical equipment can also exceed 12 months due to supply chain issues. It is impera*ve there is a plan to replace aging equipment before it fails. Replacing the 277/480V switchboard in the main electrical room whenever it meets the end of its life expectancy will be challenging since there is only a 3’-0” door into the space which will make gePng equipment in and out of the space difficult. The door into the main electrical room swings into the space and does not have panic or fire exit hardware which does not comply with the current Na*onal Electrical Code (NEC) Ar*cle

110. The current NEC would also require the electrical room to have two exits and the current electrical room only has one exit. The ligh*ng fixtures throughout the building have also been replaced in select areas of the school as other ceiling work was done in these areas, which has led to several different styles of ligh*ng fixtures being installed. In addi*on to the visual appearance of the fixtures being different, the fixtures life expectancy is different since the fixtures were installed at different *mes.

While the LED tubes that have been installed in some of the exis*ng light fixtures help with energy consump*on, these LED tubes have a shorter life expectancy than actual LED light engines, so the LED bulbs that were installed in exis*ng fixtures will likely need to be replaced sooner than if the en*re light fixture was replaced with a LED light fixture. In addi*on to upgrading the ligh*ng fixtures, the current energy codes require automa*c means of turning the lights off and dimming controls instead of on/off only control via toggle switches. With the exis*ng walls remaining, the new switches and any new receptacles that are needed will be surface mounted and the wiring run in surface raceway instead of being concealed in the walls.

With the electrical systems being updated sporadically it is a challenge to know when these systems will need to be replaced and to budget for the same.

Project considera ons:

• Stormwater management, sediment and erosion control, and foresta*on are not required.

• Phasing and/or summer work is required to complete ongoing projects.

• Swing space may be required to complete projects that cannot be completed during the summer. For large project areas, a one (1) sixteen room modular (70’ x 204’) may be required.

• This project op*on does not resolve building layout and instruc*onal program deficiencies.

• This project op*on does not resolve site deficiencies, with a current site size deficiency of fiMeen acres. Using calcula*on methods applied in the 2013 Feasibility Study, the recommended site size for a 930-student middle school is approximately thirty acres.

• Exis*ng system deficiencies such as the lack of energy recovery (which is required by code for schools) for improved energy efficiency are not addressed.

• This project op*on does not address the limited space available for upgrading systems.

• The disparate age of systems leads to ongoing repairs of the building throughout the rest of the building service life.

• This project op*on does not resolve kitchen hood deficiencies. These should be addressed if the building is to remain in service.

• This project op*on does not resolve the lack of ven*la*on and fire protec*on in the gymnasium connec*ng corridor. These should be addressed if the building is to remain in service.

• Direct ven*la*on of spaces will result in elevated rela*ve humidity due to passive dehumidifica*on of the air from cycling of the refrigera*on cycle. We highly recommend DOAS units that decouple outside air from space loads.

• The lack of building envelope upgrades results in con*nued high energy consump*on and costs.

• This project op*on does not address the aging domes*c water distribu*on system.

• This project op*on does not address the lack of a backflow preventer on the incoming domes*c water system.

• This project op*on does not address the lack of 140-degree Fahrenheit domes*c hot water to serve the kitchen. This should be addressed if the building is to remain in service.

• This op*on does not address the lack of fire protec*on at the stage. This should be addressed if the building is to remain in service.

• This project op*on does not address the panelboards being in the corridors instead of a locked dedicated electrical room to limit access to trained personnel.

• This project op*on does not address the 3’-0” door and limited access into the main electrical room or the lack of two exits out of the main electrical room.

• This project op*on does not address the aging branch circuit wiring throughout the building.

• This project op*on does not address the lack of tamper-resistant receptacles throughout the building.

• This project op*on does not address the lack of ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) receptacles and u*lity distribu*on system (UDS) in the kitchen.

CONCEPT 2: MAJOR RENOVATIONS AND ADDITIONS

In this project scenario, building layout and educa*onal program deficiencies are improved. All mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are replaced to provide a unified system, and other building systems are upgraded as needed to accommodate accessibility and replace outdated systems.

Due to the building’s historical significance, the 1930 structure and infill renova*on projects will be retained and renovated. The northwest stair tower, music suite and north corridor, and classroom/cafeteria addi*ons will be demolished and replaced. Square footage in the auditorium will be repurposed as educa*onal program space. Expansive window openings in the new north corridor will provide natural light to interior spaces. The gymnasium with connec*ng breezeway will be demolished, and an addi*on will be constructed to resolve building layout and square footage deficiencies. Proposed addi*ons include the following:

• Administra*on/Guidance/Health Suite/Physical Educa*on/Foodservice/PlaQorm

Addi*on

• North Side Stair, Corridor and Classroom Wing Addi*on

• Southeast Stair Addi*on (required for code compliant egress)

See building plans and site concept a;achments for addi*onal informa*on.

The op*mal HVAC system to be implemented is a closed-loop geothermal system due to the lower life cycle cost. This is due to the low annual opera*ng costs and reasonable first costs. However, the exis*ng site does not have sufficient room for the required geothermal bore field. Therefore, the next best choice for the school would be Four (4) pipe fan coil units, which will provide simultaneous hea*ng and cooling for the spaces thru hot water provided by condensing boilers as part of the hot water system and chilled water provided by air cooled chillers as part of the chilled water system. Hot water reheat coils will provide dehumidifica*on for the spaces.

Separate Energy Recovery Ven*lators with heat wheels designed specifically for the condi*oning of outside air should be provided.