RFQ/P027-07 New Pulaski School

The City of Meriden is requesting qualifications and proposals for comprehensive project management and owner's representative services for the construction of a new Casimir Pulaski Elementary School at 1 King Place, Meriden, Connecticut, with proposals due July 29, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. EST and a mandatory pre-proposal meeting on July 8, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the project site.

The Owner's Project Manager will provide advisory, project management, and project representative services spanning planning, design, procurement, construction, and closeout phases. The new facility will comprise approximately 97,100 gross square feet, designed to serve pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students plus the District's special education program, with anticipated enrollment of 706 students. The site requires environmental cleanup and demolition of the existing hospital building prior to school construction. Proposers must demonstrate experience with Connecticut public school construction projects eligible for Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (CTDAS) grants, familiarity with CTDAS Office of Grant Administration processes, and successful performance on projects of comparable scope.

The project budget totals approximately $101.2 million, including $16.3 million for contaminated soil excavation, hazardous materials removal, and demolition; approximately $1.1 million for furniture, fixtures, and equipment; and design and construction contingencies and escalation costs. Partial funding derives from a CTDAS school building project priority list grant with a 90 percent reimbursement rate for eligible construction costs. Construction is anticipated to begin in June 2028, with school occupancy targeted for January 2030 or August 2030. The OPM will be retained from contract execution through project completion and closeout.

Compensation for basic services will be on a lump sum fee basis across preconstruction, construction, and post-construction phases, with specified additional services compensated on an hourly-fee basis. The City is exempt from federal excise taxes and Connecticut sales and use tax, which should not be included in pricing proposals. The project utilizes a construction manager at-risk delivery method with a guaranteed maximum price agreement. Qualified proposers will be interviewed during the week of August 17–21, 2026, with anticipated contract award the week of August 24, 2026. The OPM must maintain General Liability of $1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate, Auto Liability of $1 million combined single limits, Professional Liability of $1 million per wrongful act/$1 million aggregate, and Umbrella Excess Liability of $5 million per occurrence/$5 million aggregate, with all insurers AM Best's rated "A-" or better in Connecticut.