Glossary of Terms
PBC: Permanent Building Committee
The Wakefield PBC oversees all projects for design, construction, reconstruction, renovation, alteration, or enlargement of any building owned by the Town, or undertaken on land owned or leased by the Town of Wakefield.
The PBC has the sole authority to procure engineering and architectural services, award bids for construction, enter into contracts on behalf of the Town with respect to matters within its authority, and administer such contracts in accordance with applicable law.
SBC: School Building Committee
The Wakefield SBC is made up of the Wakefield PBC together with the Wakefield High School Advisory Committee which consists of Town and School employees/officials and members of the Community for the purpose of generally monitoring the MSBA Application process and to advise the Town of Wakefield during the construction of the Project.
OPM: Owner's Project Manager
LeftField – Owners Project Manager (“OPM”)
LEFTFIELD is an Owner’s Representative and Project Management firm, established in 2007. We specialize in owners project management services and have significant experience in the public sector, working with municipalities and building authorities. Leftfield’s staff has managed over $1.5 billion in MSBA-funded projects since MSBA’s inception in 2004. As Owners Project Managers, we work in conjunction with the Owner serving as an extension of their staff. Our primary role is to protect the Owner’s interests, to ensure that the Owner is well-served and that the established goals and objectives are met in the most efficient manner, physically and fiscally.
LEFTFIELD is well-versed in all phases of project management: planning, feasibility, preconstruction, design, bidding, construction, commissioning, and close-out. We have significant experience in working on both design-bid-build construction contract methodologies as well as with the Construction Management at-Risk (CM at-Risk) approach. In addition to managing the design and construction of a project, LEFTFIELD has been instrumental in assisting owners with the acceptance and turnover of buildings from construction to operations.
Owner’s Project Manager FAQ’s
Q. Is an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) required for every school construction project that moves forward in the MSBA Process?
A. Pursuant to state law, if the construction cost is estimated to be $1.5 million or greater, an OPM is required. For school construction or renovation projects seeking funding from the MSBA, the MSBA must approve the OPM. In some instances, the MSBA will require an OPM for projects under the $1.5 million threshold.
Q. If our district has someone on staff that we believe would qualify as an OPM, can we appoint this person as the OPM for a proposed project?
A. Chapter 149 of the General Laws provides that a public agency may allow an existing employee to serve as the OPM, however, they are subject to the same qualification requirements as an outside entity and the MSBA must approve all OPM’s for school construction and renovation projects. The selection and approval process is a qualifications-based process and the MSBA’s regulations require an OPM who is registered with the Commonwealth as a professional engineer or architect to have a minimum of 5 years of experience in the construction and supervision of the construction of public buildings. If a candidate is not registered with the Commonwealth as a professional engineer or architect, they must have 7 years of experience in the construction and supervision of the construction of public buildings. A candidate’s experience must be similar in type, size, dollar value and complexity to the project being considered.
Q. Does the MSBA have a model Request for Services (RFS) for the procurement of an OPM by a school district?
A. Yes. The MSBA has developed an OPM Model Request for Services (RFS) that school districts may use to procure an OPM. Although this model is intended to be comprehensive in meeting MSBA requirements for the procurement of an OPM, each city, town and regional school district shall be solely responsible for ensuring that its particular RFS complies with all applicable provisions of federal, state and local law, including, but not limited to, all procurement laws.
Q. Does the MSBA have guidelines and a standard contract for the procurement of an OPM by a school district?
A. Yes. The MSBA has developed guidelines and a standard contract for design-bid-build projects. Click on these links, OPM Selection Process Guidelines and OPM Base Contract for Design Bid Build (DBB) and Construction Manager at Risk (CM-R), to view the MSBA’s guidelines and the standard contract. Please note these documents are subject to further review and revision and may be updated from time to time.
Q. If our district decides to use the Construction Manager at Risk (“CM at Risk”) delivery method, as allowed under the Commonwealth’s 2004 construction reform law, do we still have to hire an OPM?
A. Yes. An OPM is important when CM at Risk is employed. The OPM assists and advises the Owner as a member of the CM-at-Risk Prequalification Committee and the CM-at-Risk Selection Committee. The OPM is responsible for evaluating cost estimates provided by the CM at Risk and overseeing the CM a Risk’s involvement in the design process. In addition, the OPM plays a critical role in developing the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) with the CM at Risk and auditing the CM at Risk’s job costs to ensure compliance with the contract.
Q. Does the MSBA have any plans to develop a standard contract for a Construction Manager at Risk project?
A. Yes, the MSBA has completed this contract, it can be accessed here: OPM Base Contract for Design Bid Build (DBB) and Construction Manager at Risk (CM-R)
Q. What should our district do prior to beginning the procurement process for an OPM?
A. The selection of an OPM is subject to MSBA approval. Therefore, it is essential for school districts to contact Brian Kelley at the MSBA at 617-720-4466, to discuss the MSBA’s guidelines and any other requirements before beginning a procurement process for an OPM.
CM: Construction Manager @ Risk
Bond Building Construction – Construction Manager
Founded in 1907, BOND’s business model is driven by client focus and the firm’s values: integrity, respect, and trust. As a 5th generation company, BOND offers a wide range of services: preconstruction assistance, construction management, general contracting, and civil and utilities services. BOND Building customizes each construction program by working closely with clients to accommodate their culture and daily activities and to proactively minimize disruption and avoid surprises. We produce high-quality construction on time and on budget, creating customer satisfaction and building ongoing client relationships. BOND routinely manages the safe and orderly operation of significant construction projects in the midst of active campuses, and on occupied and constrained sites. Safety is always BOND’s first priority. BOND maintains a low EMR of .79.
Website
Learn more about CM At-Risk
MSBA: Massachusetts State Building Authority
MSBA is the authority acting on behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts partnering with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally-appropriate, flexible, sustainable, and cost effective public school facilities. MSBA works with municipalities for the life of the project from Pre-Feasibility through Building Completion and Closeout.
PDP: Preliminary Design Program
PDP is the first reporting stage during the Feasibility Study phase where the District and its team collaborate with the MSBA to document their educational program, generate an initial space summary, document existing conditions, establish design parameters, develop and evaluate alternatives and recommend the most cost effective and educationally appropriate alternatives to the MSBA for further evaluation in the PSR phase.
PSR: Preferred Schematic Design
PSR is the second reporting stage during the Feasibility Study phase where the District and its team collaborate with the MSBA to refine their educational program and space summary, further develop and evaluate alternatives and recommend the most cost effective and educationally appropriate solution to the MSBA Board of Directors for consideration before progressing into Schematic Design.
SD: Schematic Design
SD is the final reporting stage where the District and its team develop a final design program and robust schematic design of sufficient detail to establish the scope, budget and schedule for the Proposed Project.
DD: Design Development
DD is for the Architect to define and develop all aspects of the project including the exterior and interior materials that will be utilized in the Final Construction Contract Documents for the Project. Engineers, under direction from the Architect, also contribute to defining and developing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, plumbing systems, electrical systems, and other miscellaneous systems required for construction of the New School Building.
CD: Construction/Contract Documents
CD is the consolidation of the Uniform General and Supplementary Conditions; Owner’s Special Conditions and Specifications; and the Drawings, Specifications, details, Change Orders and other documents prepared by Architects/Engineers, their consultants, and by Owner’s consultants that describe the scope and quality of the Project with the materials, supplies, equipment, systems, and other elements that are required for construction of the Project that are accepted by Owner. Construction Documents provide the contractual relationship between Owner/Designer and the individual contractor constructing the project.
RFS: Request for Services
The document utilized by the SSBC to solicit qualifications for Architect and Owner’s Project Manager firms for the project.
MCPPO: Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official
The local official responsible for overseeing procurement of supplies, services, design and construction in accordance with public procurement laws that has been certified by the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General.
The OPM and Designer are also required to have a dedicated person who is MCPPO certified.
SOI: Statement of Interest
Submitting an SOI is the critical first step in the MSBA’s program to partially fund the construction, renovation, addition or repair of municipality or regionally owned school facilities located in cities, towns and regional school districts. The SOI allows districts to inform the MSBA about deficiencies that may exist in a local school facility and how those deficiencies inhibit the delivery of the district’s educational program.
WMHS: Wakefield Memorial High School
WMGLD: Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department
The Town of Wakefield’s local municipal utilities’ provider.