Mitch, a district staff member, told the Tonganoxie USD 464 Board on Oct. 13 that the district is pursuing an accelerated schedule for the Tonganoxie Elementary School (TES) HVAC project and will require board participation in coming weeks. The district issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) on Sept. 30; RFQ submittals were due Oct. 15. Mitch said staff expected a short list announcement on Oct. 22 and would issue the request for proposals (RFP) the same day, with RFP responses due Oct. 29.

Interviews with prospective construction managers at risk (CMARs) are scheduled for Oct. 30, Mitch said, and he proposed a small interview committee consisting of him, Lauren and two or three board members. The district anticipates selecting a CMAR and issuing a notice of intent by the end of October, then seeking board approval of the project at the Nov. 10 board meeting.

Mitch cautioned the timeline is compressed because equipment needs to be ordered in January to be available in time for installation over the summer. He said the RFP will likely ask bidders to provide multiple pricing or phasing options (for example, a single-year "big bang" approach versus phased options across fiscal years) and that the RFP and CMAR interviews will include questions about phasing and financial scenarios.

Staff plans to share a standard contract with HTK to begin a design process; that contract does not yet include a dollar amount and will come to the board for approval at a future special meeting. Mitch also said the district discussed logistical issues, including that a single large summer shutdown of the elementary could be required for a one-shot approach.

Board members asked whether the Oct. 30 interviews would be in the evening or daytime; Mitch said timing would depend on what the shortlisted firms can accommodate and on committee member availability. The board president said staff would coordinate to set a time that works with superintendent-search scheduling and other special meetings.

Discussion of the TES HVAC project at the Oct. 13 meeting was preparatory; no procurement contract was approved at that session.