Design Build Services

Hemlock Public School District, a general-powers K–12 district in Saginaw County, Michigan, is requesting proposals for design-build services to expand and renovate Hemlock Elementary School and its Early Childhood Center, with proposals due July 15, 2026 at noon EST. A mandatory pre-proposal meeting occurred June 30, 2026; all questions were due July 6, 2026.

The scope spans two phases and multiple facilities. Phase I includes approximately 3,650 square feet of addition to Hemlock Elementary (two early childhood classrooms, office and student support space, secure main corridor connection, toilet rooms, and reworked parent drop-off loop), scheduled for construction Spring 2027 through Summer 2028. Phase II adds approximately 10,975 square feet (seven additional classrooms, flexible learning environments, overnight care facilities), scheduled Summer 2028 through Summer 2029. The project also encompasses expansion of KC Ling Elementary School (16,000 square feet), relocation of the Fordney Road School building to serve as a community gathering space, and campus improvements including outdoor learning corridors, parking, traffic flow modifications, and safety and security enhancements.

The total project is anticipated at approximately $14 to $15 million, funded through two bond series: Series 1 provides $11 to $12 million, Series 2 covers remaining costs. Phase I is partially funded by a $1 million USDA grant, which does not require Davis-Bacon Prevailing Wage Act compliance. All trade categories must be competitively bid under Michigan public bidding requirements. The District welcomes self-performance by the selected contractor for specific trades, subject to competitive bidding.

Design-Builders must submit fee proposals as percentages of cost of work for design services, general conditions, contractor overhead and profit, and change order markups for both phases. Team resumes are limited to one page per person. Required insurance includes commercial general liability of $3 million aggregate and $1 million per occurrence, professional liability of $1 million per occurrence, workers' compensation with $100,000 employer's liability, and automobile liability of $1 million combined single limit.

Interviews are scheduled July 28, 2026, with final Board selection anticipated August 12, 2026. The District will execute an initial agreement with negotiated design and pre-construction fees; once the Guaranteed Maximum Price is established following design and bidding phases, the agreement will be amended to reflect final scope. The contract will utilize a modified AIA A141-2024 Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Design-Builder.