9-Dwight ES RFQ 2026 0304 - FINAL CM.pdf

RFPQ#2026-49

Dwight Elementary School with Early Childhood Center

Fairfield Public Schools

Request for Qualifications for Construction Management Services

RFQ Issue Date: March 4, 2026

Qualifications are Due no later than March 26, 2026, 2:00 p.m.

Table of Contents

I. Project Overview

A. Project Introduction

B. Building Description

C. Educational Specifications

D. Project Budget

E. Project Schedule

F. Project Delivery Method

II. Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

III. Selection Process

IV. Instructions for Submissions of Qualifications

V. Termination or Amendment

VI. Proposer’s Full knowledge and Contract Terms

VII. Appendices

A. Dwight Elementary School Educational Specifications approved May 13, 2025

B. Dwight Elementary School Macro-Schedule dated December 9, 2025

C. Parcel Card and Map

D. Enrollment Projections

E. Building Committee charge

F. Svigals + Partners Feasibility Report dated September 12, 2025

G. Silver Petrucelli Report dated September 6, 2024

Additional project reference materials may be found at the Building Committee website, Dwight School Building Committee.

https://www.fairfieldct.org/government/building_committees/dwight_elementary_school_building_committee/index.php

I. Project Overview

A. Project Introduction

The Town of Fairfield (Town) on behalf of Fairfield Public Schools (FPS) is seeking proposals from qualified firms for Construction Management Services associated with the design and construction of a new building for Dwight Elementary School with Early Childhood Center project (Project) located at 1600 Redding Road, Fairfield, Connecticut.

B. Building Description

Dwight Elementary School sits on a 29.13 acre site and contains a single story school building with 41,384 gross square feet. The original portions of the building were constructed in 1962, with the gymnasium and part of the eastern class wing added in later years, and a storage room addition completed in the early 2000s. The school serves approximately 230 students in grades K-5.

The purpose of this project is to provide a new building on the current site that will serve the current and future Dwight Elementary School community while also supporting the expansion of Early Childhood Center (ECC) programming and the creation of additional special education spaces. The project will include the demolition of the existing building and the replacement of the existing septic system.

The existing school will remain in operation while the project is constructed. This proposal was highlighted in the Svigals+ Partners report presented to the Board of

Selectmen (BOS) and the Board of Education (BOE) on September 3, 2025, as Option

1F. The report evaluated seven additional town-owned properties in order to identify the most appropriate and fiscally responsible long-term solution for Fairfield residents. Option 1F demonstrates the ability to construct a new facility on the

Dwight site that addresses all current and future needs of the school community, while maintaining an active elementary school on-site throughout the process. This approach ensures continuity of educational services, supports programmatic growth, and provides the community with a modern, efficient, and accessible facility designed to meet evolving educational standards.

C. Educational Specifications

The Educational Specifications (Appendix A) were approved by the Fairfield Board of Education on May 13, 2025. The Architect selected shall design the Project to meet the educational specification.

D. Project Budget

The Town has authorized funding for the Dwight Elementary School New Building with Early Childhood Center Project in the amount of $76,398,168. This funding dollar amount is based on a preliminary estimate provided by Svigals + Partners.

The total construction budget includes comprehensive pre-construction services, CM fees, general conditions, insurance, bonds, permit costs, enabling Projects (if required), Cost of the Work, CM contingency and escalation. The plans and estimates will be subject to review by the State of Connecticut Office of Grants

Administration (OGA).

The owner’s representative is responsible for managing the total project budget in cooperation with the Building Committee. The Construction Manager will only be responsible for the construction budget as approved by the Town and issued by the

Building Committee.

E. Project Schedule

Appendix B contains the overall project schedule which consists of typical design, bid, and construct delivery method. The project schedule is intended to show general durations and is subject to change. Each firm shall take into account this schedule while calculating their fee.

Services during construction shall assume the overall 23-month construction duration with a 6-month closeout phase as shown in Appendix B.

The Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) selection schedule is as follows but subject to change:

1. RFQ Published: March 4, 2026 (Wednesday)

2. Pre-Proposal Virtual Site Visit: March 13, 2026, 10:30 a.m. (Friday); the meeting link will be an event on the Town of Fairfield Purchasing Department’s e-

Procurement Portal, which is accessible via this link

3. Last date for Inquiries: March 17, 2026, by 1:00 p.m. (Tuesday)

4. Last Response Issued: March 19, 2026 (Thursday)

5. Qualifications Due: March 26, 2026 (Thursday), no later than 2:00 p.m.

6. Short-list CMR firms: April 07, 2026 (Tuesday)

7. RFP Published: April 08, 2026 (Shortlist firms only, Wednesday)

8. Proposals Due: April 20, 2026 (Shortlist firms only, Monday)

9. Interview : April 21, 2026 (Shortlist firms only Tuesday)

10. CMR Selection: Immediately after interviews.

The shortlist of CMR Firms, Interview, and CMR Selection dates are anticipated, not certain, and dates are subject to change if circumstances dictate.

https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/pRTvCDkWMASvvJ92tWfAHjJ1D7?domain=fairfieldct.bonfirehub.com

F. Project Delivery Method

The Project will be utilizing a Construction Manager at Risk with a Guaranteed

Maximum Price (GMP) project delivery method. Unit prices, options, alternates, and pricing breakdown may be required by the owner.

II. Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

A. General

A minimum of five (5) completed school projects utilizing a CM at Risk w/GMP delivery method within the last ten (10) years within the Northeast region of the

United States, with at least two (2) of the five preferably being elementary schools within Connecticut and two (2) of the five being new construction projects with budgets of at least $40 million each.

A minimum of $100 million in completed State-approved projects over the last 7 years.

Ability and capacity to provide cost estimation services and all required bonding for a project of this scope and size.

B. CT DCS Office of Grants Administration (OGA)

The project will be subject to the State of Connecticut Office of Grants

Administration (CT DCS OGA) requirements. Candidates shall demonstrate project experience and knowledge of these requirements. Experience must contain at least one school similar in size and scope to this project or the team must include one member with extensive OGA experience over the past five years.

C. CT DAS Contractor Pre-qualification Requirements

Per C.G.S. §4a-100, all contractors must be pre-qualified by the Connecticut

Department of Administrative Services (CT DAS). All CM firms submitting qualification statements for this project must be pre-qualified as a

“CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK (GROUP B)” as defined in the CT DAS

Contractor Classification List. This includes “CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK

(GROUP C)”. All CM firms must have a Major Contractor Registration through the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection as a pre-requisite for these Classifications.

III. Selection Process

A. Review Process

The Owner plans to select the construction manager through a "Quality

Based Selection Process" which includes experience, references, capabilities, past performance, fees and other relevant criteria.

The School Building Committee will review the written qualifications and will select a shortlist of no less than three (3) to submit fee proposals and formal interviews. If the Building Committee desires, firms submitting qualifications (or a subset of the firms submitting qualifications, at the committee’s discretion) may be asked to attend a short informal discussion session in person at a committee meeting to help the committee familiarize themselves with each firm and develop the shortlist of no less than three firms from which to seek proposals.

The purpose of this Request is to award the construction manager services from a pool of no less than three proposers that meet the minimum qualifications within the meaning of General Statutes § 10-287(b)(2).

In addition to the Building Committee, Town of Fairfield and Fairfield Public

School representatives will participate in the selection process.

Although the Building Committee plans to select the firm through a “Quality

Based Selection Process” not solely based on proposed fee, the selected firm’s proposed fee will be examined to ensure its consistency with that of competing firms. If agreement upon a fee for services from the firm of first choice cannot be reached, the Owner may choose to engage an alternate firm. However, the Town reserves the right to reject any and all proposals if it finds, in its sole judgment, that it would be in the best interests of the Town to do so.

B. Formal Presentation and Interview

The Owner will interview selected firms. Key members of the proposed team are expected to participate in the interview/presentation including the

Principal-in-Charge/Project Executive, Project Manager and/or other individuals proposed to play key roles in the project and that will likely be interfacing with school representatives throughout the duration of the Project.

The following criteria, not listed in priority order, are likely to be considered in evaluating and selecting the firm after presentation interviews:

• Personal chemistry of team members

• Project specific ideas and thoughts

• Sensitivity to the Town of Fairfield and its unique characteristics

• Awareness of and Commitment to materials readily available within the

US to minimize potential delays on materials procured from overseas

• Clarity and method of presentation

• Comments on budget, cost control, and construction to execute the project

• Site knowledge, creativity and sensitivity

• Knowledge of Connecticut public school construction and OGA requirements and processes

C. Evaluation Criteria of Qualifications

The following criteria will be used in evaluating the qualifications packages for potential short listing (not in priority order):

1. Clarity of proposal

2. Technical competence

3. Awareness of and experience with project-specific criteria and goals

(including awareness of environmental issues and constraints)

4. Experience in working with and coordinating multiple agencies, architects, engineers and contractors

5. Past record of performance on local contracts with respect to such factors as schedule, cost control, work quality and cooperation with client

6. Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State and Local policies, procedures and regulations, including Connecticut High performance Building requirements.

7. Experience in working with the State Department of Grants

Administration (CT DCS OGA)

8. Experience in LEED / High performance building projects and other sustainable technologies

9. Similar project experience, provide a minimum of five projects and no more than 8, including experience with Connecticut Educational (Pre-

K-5) building projects

10. Past performance and references, including, but not limited to, adherence to project schedules and project budgets and the number of change orders for projects

11. Team member experience, organization & team structure

12. Approach to the Work (estimating and collaboration in design process).

13. Approach to the Work (construction cost/quality/schedule management)

14. Insights gleaned from pre-short-list informal discussions at a committee meeting (if conducted)

Criteria

Number

Selection Criteria Category

1 Candidate’s demonstrated ability to develop accurate cost estimates.

2 Candidate’s ability to manage phased projects on an occupied site.

3 Candidate’s experience with and knowledge of the

Connecticut Office of Grants Administration process.

4 References

5 Candidate’s experience with the Town of Fairfield

6 The quality and experience of candidate’s assigned personnel.

7 Candidate’s ability to complete the project within the required timeline and budget

8 Candidate’s evidence of any special or innovative approach the firm will use

9 Candidates’ presentation

10 The fee proposal in accordance with PA 08-169

IV. Instructions for Submission of Qualifications

A. Submission Logistics

All submissions shall be made through the Town of Fairfield Purchasing Department’s e-Procurement Portal, which is accessible via this link. No other submissions will be considered.

Care should be taken by the proposing firms to present a succinct but informative qualification. The following is a list of minimum information to be included in the written qualifications to be submitted. Within the electronic submission, please bookmark each of the sections below.

1. Table of Contents

2. Letter of Interest

3. Provide the business history of the Company. Include any changes in the

Company’s status as the result of merger, acquisition, spin-off, reorganization or other change in business organizational status. Identify when the Company was organized and, if a corporation, where incorporated and number of years engaged in providing full service contract operations under that name.

Provide a comprehensive description of Company corporate ownership and/or operating name. Provide the location of the office that is responsible for this project.

4. Copy of minimum qualifications as listed above, Section II.C

5. Profile of the proposed Construction Manager’s team. Profile shall include:

• Resume of principals

• Resumes of Project Executive, Project Manager, Project Engineer, Superintendent, and staff designated to the project. Include a brief description of the role of each key staff member.

6. List of sub-consultants and roles, if any, with resumes. List of projects completed with the proposed team.

7. List a minimum of five and no more than eight Connecticut K-12 projects that have been completed. A separate page may be attached listing all K-12

Connecticut School projects completed in the last 10 years. Information for each project shall include the following:

• Project name, location and owner.

• Architect including contact information. Note: Arc h i tec t may be contacted for a referral during the review process.

• Owner’s representative including contact information. Note: Owner’s representative may be contacted for a referral during the review process.

• Name of project contact (district superintendent, building committee chair, principal, director of facilities, etc.)

• 100% design estimate with base bid and alternates (if applicable)

• Contract base bid award amount with accepted alternates (if applicable)

• Final construction amount.

• Total number and amount of change orders

• Indicate which projects the proposed team worked on.

B. Inquiries

All inquiries shall be made through the Town of Fairfield Purchasing Department’s e-

Procurement Portal, which is accessible via this link. Inquiries outside of this portal, written or verbal, will not be considered. Responses will be made on the Town of

Fairfield Purchasing Department’s e-Procurement Portal. Each submitting firm is responsible for the information provided in the responses.

Firms shall NOT submit fee proposals with the qualification packages. Only shortlisted firms will be invited to submit fee proposals which will be delivered prior to the interviews.

Proposers are prohibited from contacting any other Town employee, officer or official concerning this RFQ. A proposer’s failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification. No oral statement of the Town, including oral statements by the Town representatives listed above, shall be effective to waive, change or otherwise modify any of the provisions of this RFQ, and no proposer shall rely on any alleged oral statement.

V. Termination or Amendment

The Town reserves the right to amend or terminate this RFQ, to reject any or all respondents, to request additional information, to waive any informalities or non-material deficiencies in a response, and to take any and all other action that, in the

Town’s sole judgment, will be in its best interests. The Town reserves the right to ask any respondent to clarify its response or to submit additional information that the

Town in its sole discretion deems desirable.

In addition, the Town may, before or after statement opening and in its sole discretion, clarify, modify, amend or terminate this RFQ if the Town determines it is in the Town’s best interest.

VI. Proposer’s Full Knowledge and Contract Terms

Each proposer is responsible for having read and understood the entirety of this RFQ, all appendices, and any addenda issued by the Town. A proposer’s failure to have reviewed all information that is part of or applicable to this RFQ, including but not only any addenda posted on the Town’s website, shall in no way relieve it from any aspect of its submission or the obligations related thereto.

Each proposer is deemed to be familiar with and is required to comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulations, ordinances, codes and orders that in any manner relate to this RFQ or the provision or goods or performance of the work described herein.

By submitting a package, each proposer represents that it has thoroughly examined and become familiar with the scope of work outlined/the goods described in this

RFQ, and it is capable of performing the work/delivering/installing the goods to achieve the Town’s objectives. If applicable, each proposer shall visit the site, examine the areas and thoroughly familiarize itself with all conditions of the property before preparing its submission.

Appendix A – Dwight Elementary School Educational Specifications

Appendix B - Dwight Macro-Schedule dated January 7, 2026

Appendix C – Dwight Parcel Card & Map

Appendix D – Enrollment Projections

Appendix E – Dwight Building Committee Charge

Appendix F – Svigals + Partners Feasibility Report dated September

12, 2025

Appendix G – Silver Petrucelli Feasibility Report dated September 6,