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Learn about Caldwell School District’s construction projects
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WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY: VAN BUREN ELEMENTARY: DISTRICT OFFICE: CALDWELL HIGH: JEFFERSON MIDDLE: SYRINGA MIDDLE: LEWIS & CLARK ELEMENTARY: LINCOLN ELEMENTARY: SACAJAWEA ELEMENTARY: WILSON ELEMENTARY: |
Q. What projects will Caldwell School District be completing with the bond funds? There are several projects that will be addressed using the bond funds – ultimately all the facilities will be impacted by the improved energy efficiency. There will be two new elementary schools built– Van Buren and Washington Elementary Schools will retain their names but at new locations. These schools will be the first “High-Performance” schools in Idaho. Both will have a LEED Silver Certification and use 30% less energy than the International Energy Code. Caldwell’s commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, reduced carbon footprint and the best life-cycle performance means a better educational environment that is healthier, safer, more comfortable and efficient. The old Van Buren Elementary will be remodeled and take on the new name of Canyon Springs Alternative High School and will also house the Caldwell School District offices. In addition to the new school construction and remodel of the old Van Buren Elementary, one of the more exciting projects is the focus on establishing a more energy efficient school district with several projects being implemented this summer to upgrade numerous schools. Sacajawea, Lincoln, Wilson, Lewis & Clark, Syringa, Jefferson and Caldwell High School will all have upgrades. Based on meeting the payback requirements outlined by the Caldwell School District, these upgrades may include lighting, mechanical, and climate control systems to increase energy efficiency for year round cost-avoided energy savings for the district (not all retrofits will apply to all schools). Q. What is McKinstry's role in these projects? McKinstry Co. has over 30 years experience in integrated design-build construction including high-performance facility retrofits. As a turn-key Prime Design-Build Contractor, we specialize in all phases of facility design, engineering, construction, commissioning and services. In addition, we are the Northwest’s largest and most successful Energy Services Company – insuring our clients receive projects that are superior in quality and of the highest energy efficiency possible. We are also a leader in the Leadership Energy Efficiency Design (LEED) industry and have worked on designing and building management for many school districts in numerous states for several decades. For the Caldwell School District, McKinstry will be the Prime Contractor for the design and delivery of Caldwell School District’s projects. As the single point of accountability, we will lead the design, construction, commissioning and servicing of these projects. In addition, we will provide ongoing measurement, verification, and performance assurance to see that the District receives the benefits and value they were promised. Because we head an integrated design team, McKinstry will partner with an architectural firm (LKV) and other sub-contractors, many of which will come from the local area. Partnering with the Caldwell School District, McKinstry will develop, design and manage the building/remodeling of what will be a new standard for educational facilities in Idaho. These projects will make the Caldwell School District the first high-performance school district, including new construction, in the state of Idaho. Read more about McKinstry at McKinstry.com Q. What is Design-Build and how is this process different? Design-Build is a method whereby a project’s design and construction are included within one contract and implemented by a turn-key Prime Contractor. This allows cost savings on a number of fronts. First, administration costs are lowered as there is only one contract to monitor. This is contrary to more traditional approaches where design, construction and other needs are covered by several contracts. Second, the possibility of costly design changes may be eliminated as construction, planning and design are done simultaneously. When unexpected changes are needed, it is easier and less costly to alter the design during the design phase rather than ordering a change once the design phase is completed. In addition, by using a single contract for both design and construction, the owner does not have to coordinate the activities of the designer and builder since one party is responsible for both functions. Design-build also enhances the quality of the work performed. The final benefit is a compressed project schedule that will allow for the new schools to be opened sooner. In Design-Build, qualifications of the firm, not price, is the determining factor in the selection of a firm for a public project. The Design-Build process is based on the design build authority granted to school district pursuant to I.C. § 67-2309. Q. What is “Performance-Based” Design-Build Contracting? “Performance-Based” Design-Build is a term used to describe a Design-Build process that includes distinctive project and facility performance benchmarks that include a way to quantify measure and guarantee the project performance. These projects must include comprehensive life-cycle performance or “Total Cost of Ownership” analysis that substantiates the value of a specific equipment, design, system, etc. for lower complete costs over time. “Performance-Based” Design-Build should ideally mandate a vendor, equipment, design and fuel neutral process so that there are no pre-conceived biases for one solution over another. Decisions should be made in an integrated design & delivery process with the Design-Build Prime Contractor, integrated design team and the Owner examining the modeling analysis to determine the best “design-build” solution. The Design-Build process is based on the design build authority granted to school district pursuant to I.C. § 67-2309. Q. What is Performance Contracting? Performance Contracting provides a way for schools to leverage future cost-avoided energy, operating, and maintenance savings to pay for improvements in the comfort, safety, and efficiency of their facilities today. The financial and operational performance is guaranteed by the ESCO (Energy Service Company/McKinstry), eliminating the risks typically associated with the traditional “low-bid” approach to construction projects. In 2000, Idaho passed its Performance Contracting Enabling Legislation (I.C. § 67-5711D) that allowed public institutions to use Performance Contracting as a way to improve their facilities and reduce their long-term energy use, increasing their cost-avoided energy savings. To date most of the State’s Higher Educational Institutions, multiple municipalities (cities and counties) and dozens of school Districts have instituted Energy Performance Contracts, saving millions of dollars in energy costs. Q. Why do public institutions prefer performance-based design-build projects? Performance-Based Design-Build projects provide Idaho public institutions the following benefits:
Q. What makes these projects special? What does “High-Performance” mean? While McKinstry has been involved in high-performance & LEED projects with education facilities across the northwest, this marks the first effort in the state of Idaho for the design-build construction of a high-performance, LEED rated school. The Caldwell School District will be the pioneers for the state as the remodels and new schools are brought on line, providing a new standard for schools across the State. Their commitment to look at what schools cost over the life of the building – rather than just first costs – means that Caldwell will ultimately spend far less on energy and operational costs – leaving more resources for education. The Carnegie Foundation found a direct correlation between improved indoor comfort & a child’s ability to learn. High performance facilities ensure better designs, systems, equipment and performance. High-Performance facilities are designed for the best life-cycle performance or Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). However, better does not mean bigger. It means healthy, safe, comfortable, innovative, productive, efficient and cost-effective. In other words, better means an improved learning environment. Long-term performance is benchmarked, measured & guaranteed Ultimately, the less Caldwell School District spends on energy, utilities & operational expenses over the life of the building – the more resources they have for education! On average for every $1 spent on high-performance features, there is a $15-20 return on investment over a 20 year period. The integrated design process will support the District’s goals, mission & vision. So let’s dream big, but we also must keep an element of reality. Limited resources require priorities & innovative solutions that provide the best educational environment possible. Q. What is the average energy savings for High-Performance Facilities? Caldwell’s new schools will be 30% more energy efficient than the International Energy Code. On average high-performance buildings save the following: Energy Savings: 30% Q. Are there other benefits to high-performance “green” buildings? The following charts show some of the additional benefits that high-performance schools provide:
Q. What is LEED and what does it mean for the new schools? The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) established the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating System in 1998. Since that time, over 14,000 projects world wide have worked to become LEED rated in 30 countries and all 50 states. McKinstry has over 24 LEED Accredited professionals and has been permitted the use of the LEED Accredited Professional title due to projects that have been rated and registered with the USGBC. Q. What is an integrated design team? In the traditional “bid-spec” or “low-bid” process, a project is designed and then turned over to the bidding process for prospective contractors to review and interpret the design to ultimately be built. Unfortunately, there is little communication between these processes and it ultimately leads to change-orders, cut corners, budget shortfalls and low performance. There is no single point of accountability. All of the parties involved are driven by the lowest first costs, and are incented to cut corners wherever possible – insuring a low-performance project that ultimately costs an Owner millions of dollars in unnecessary energy and operational costs over the life of the building. The integrated design team is a collaborative process that includes the Owner, architect and Prime Design-Build Contractor – as well as commissioning engineers and key subcontractors. It may also include a LEED accredited professional. This gives the integrated design and delivery teams the ability to affect the design from conception; to develop and integrate the vision of the building with the implementation team. This insures the best design, construction and Total Cost of Ownership over the life of the building or project. When the design and build phases are integrated, the outcome is a more dynamic and successful project that covers the nuances of building from the trades input as well as establishing a true understanding of the concept in the minds of the builder. Q. What is currently happening with these projects? McKinstry finalized their investment-grade energy conservation analysis last summer. Now that the project is funded with a school bond, the energy upgrades are in the finalization of the design process prior to submitting “Request for Qualifications” (RFQ). This includes project costs based on the performance parameters established by the integrated design team. These projects will touch nearly every school in one way or another. Identifying and finalizing the exact needs for each school is critical for accurate RFQ and cost submittals. Many of the schools have seen McKinstry employees and other trade-specific visitors making assessments at each of the schools in preparation for the bidding process. The new schools are in the final pre-design phases with the architect. Once completed, the plans will be reviewed by the school district. Upon approval, McKinstry will begin the work of finalizing the design plans and begin the construction phase of the project. Q. When will we see new equipment and materials being installed? Some work will begin this Spring Break for the energy conservation/upgrade project, although the bulk of the work will be done during summer break. This fast-paced plan is geared towards having the energy project work completed by fall of 2008. However, some on-going commissioning and balancing may continue past fall, in order to optimize the systems performance. This “behind the scenes” work should have little or no impact on the District’s operations or educational schedule. Regarding the new construction, ground-breaking should commence later this year, with the goal to enclose the new buildings prior to winter 2008. This will allow for all indoor work to be done over the winter of 2008-2009. The ultimate goal is to have the new schools ready for operation in the fall of 2009. However, as high-performance schools, ongoing commissioning, balancing and adjusting of systems and equipment will be ongoing for several months beyond this date. By performing this during occupation, this allows our commissioning and performance assurance teams to optimize the comfort, performance and energy efficiency of the buildings. Q. Will other contractors have an opportunity to work on these projects? If so, when will proposals be accepted by McKinstry? McKinstry is excited to be part of the Idaho building community and as each project reaches the bidding & RFQ phase, local contractors will be welcome to submit their qualifications and pricing solutions. Qualified subcontractors must meet the stringent performance and qualifications standards for the project. The energy upgrade projects will be the first projects with proposals/bids out currently and completed within the next 30-60 days for various portions of the work. The new construction subcontractor proposal & pricing will take place as the spring season approaches. Q. What is this Total Cost of Ownership Analysis and what will it provide? Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Analysis is the process of looking at the life of a facility and factoring in all phases and stages of the life of the building into the decision making process during the design construction and remodel processes. A low first-cost may ultimately cost far more over the long-term. If spending an additional 5% now will mean reduction in spending of 15-20% over the next 30 years, the additional investment would be recognized in the TCO Analysis. This allows for better financial decision making, not just for the up front costs, but for the life of the systems and building. A comprehensive TCO breakdown includes many different inputs in developing a relevant analysis. Some of the inputs include, but are not limited to the following:
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1101 E Cleveland Blvd
Caldwell, ID 83605
Voice:208-455-3300
Fax:208-455-3302
