Town of Willington RFP to Provide OPM services for Preschool - Grade 8 School

The Town of Willington, Connecticut is soliciting qualifications and proposals for Owner's Project Manager services on a new consolidated preschool-through-Grade 8 school, with questions due October 30, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. and sealed submissions due November 5, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Eligibility is restricted to firms with demonstrated experience as a construction manager, owner's representative, or architect on at least three Connecticut school construction projects with budgets of at least $50 million each within the past five years, $150 million in state-approved project experience, and experience with multiple Connecticut public school districts.

The scope covers state grant management, building and site design, and construction oversight for a facility projected to serve approximately 519 students on three new parcels consolidated with the existing Hall Memorial School site, located in Tolland County. Required capabilities include knowledge of Connecticut Department of Education and Department of Administrative Services requirements. Insurance must name the Town of Willington and Willington Board of Education as additional insureds. The contract is anticipated to use AIA Document C104-2024 or a mutually agreed equivalent, and the selected firm may not subcontract work without prior written Town consent.

Pricing must include not-to-exceed fees by phase (Schematic Design through Post-construction/Audit/Closeout), reimbursable expense terms, and hourly rates for all personnel. Evaluation weights relevant project experience at 30%, project team qualifications at 30%, and project approach at 40%, with price as a secondary ranking factor.

Funding is a state grant contingent on grant application approval and placement on the state's priority list. The project was placed at risk for early start, and the grant application deadline is June 30, 2027.

Submissions require two hard copies and one electronic copy on thumb drive of qualifications in one sealed envelope, plus the same count of the cost proposal in a separate sealed envelope, addressed to James Marshall, School Building Committee Chairperson, 40 Old Farms Road, Willington, CT 06279. Questions go to James Marshall at 860-487-3100 or jmarshall@willingtonct.gov. The Town plans to notify shortlisted firms by November 10, hold interviews November 17–19, and select a firm by November 24, 2026. Design runs February 2027 through Fall 2028, construction begins Fall 2028, substantial completion is June 2030, owner occupancy follows in August 2030, and closeout continues through 2031.