RFP for Construction Management Services

Coastal Empire Montessori Community Organization (CEMCO) is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Construction Management (CM) at Risk services to manage the comprehensive renovation and phased redevelopment of its charter school campus located at 2001 Cynthia Street in Savannah, Georgia. The procuring agency is seeking a professional construction management firm capable of delivering services including project planning, cost management, pre-construction services, construction methods, value engineering, scheduling, and quality assurance. The project encompasses a hard cost budget not to exceed $3.1 million, inclusive of roof replacement and all general contractor fees, with Phase One targeted for completion by July 1, 2026, and an anticipated construction start date of April 2026. Key deliverables include a fixed management fee, Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), and Guaranteed Delivery Date; required qualifications include demonstrated expertise in charter school renovation projects completed on time and within budget, successful completion of at least three similar CM at Risk projects with fast-tracked timelines, references from at least two charter schools, continuous business operations for a minimum of five years, Georgia business qualification, bonding capacity for 100% of the estimated construction value, and strong value engineering capabilities. The evaluation criteria also encompass demonstrated qualifications, intangible factors demonstrating service delivery capability, and experience in project cost management and scheduling. An optional pre-bid conference is scheduled for November 20, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET at the project site; written questions must be submitted by November 26, 2025; proposals are due by December 12, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET via U.S. Mail, courier service, or hand delivery; a shortlist of qualified firms may be invited for interviews between December 18-31, 2025; notification of intent to award is anticipated January 7, 2026; and contract negotiation is expected to occur January 8-14, 2026.

The RFP does not identify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations eligible to respond, though all respondents must qualify as Georgia businesses and demonstrate the required bonding capacity. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement documents. CEMCO notes that Savannah Chatham County Public Schools (SCCPSS) equipment and furniture will be removed prior to January 30, 2026, before construction commencement, and indicates that a hazardous materials survey has not yet been completed but will be shared with interested parties once finished. The CM firm will be held at risk for project delivery within the approved GMP, with any cost savings reverting to CEMCO, and must provide 100% performance, material, and labor payment bonds along with a 5% bid bond per Georgia Code O.C.G.A. 36-91-50. The firm must also submit 100% performance and payment bonds and maintain ten percent retention on all pay applications. The project budget is capped at $3.1 million in hard costs, with Phase Two scope and funding to be determined at a later date if additional funding becomes available.