Construction Services FAQ

  • Question: I heard that you are advertising for architectural services/construction management at risk services/plans review, permitting, and inspection services for a project, but I can’t find it?

    Answer: The legal notification for a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is published in three (3) consecutive Sunday editions of the Bradenton Herald newspaper in print and online at www.bradenton.com. The legal notification contains project-specific information that is available at the time of publication. As a courtesy, this information is also posted on our website, and an email is sent with links to the legal notification for the RFQ.

    Question: My company is a licensed general contractor. I heard that you are accepting bids for the ABC Elementary School project. Who do I contact?
    Answer: The delivery method for the Department of Construction Services (DCS) is “Construction Management at Risk”. Design Professionals and Construction Managers are selected for each project based upon qualifications, per Florida Statute 287.055 - the Consultant´s Competitive Negotiations Act (CCNA).

    The selected Architect/Engineer (A/E) and Construction Manager (CM) join the School District of Manatee County School’s Project Director to form the construction team.

    Note that DCS hires one Design Professional (A/E) per project. The A/E contracts with sub-consultants as required by the project. DCS selects one Construction Management (CM) firm for each project. DCS does not contract with subcontractors and suppliers directly. The CM solicits bids from subcontractors and suppliers for the various bid packages within the project.

    Subcontractors are strongly encouraged to pre-qualify with the CM early in the design process to assure being part of the bid process. A current list of projects for which a CM has been selected, but for which bids have not been taken, will be on our website with the appropriate contact information. If you are interested in becoming an approved vendor with the School District of Manatee County, please visit Purchasing to complete a vendor application.

    Question: What is your continuing contract process?
    Answer: DCS maintains a list of approved firms for small projects in which construction costs do not exceed $2,000,000, or services that do not exceed $200,000. These firms are selected by qualifications using the statutory process. DCS does not issue blanket contracts. Proposals are requested from firms as projects are identified throughout the year. Annual renewals of the Continuing Contract list are conducted per SREF.

    The following disciplines are included on DCS’s most current Continuing Contracts list:

    Architects
    Asbestos Consultants
    Civil Engineers
    Electrical Engineers
    Environmental Engineers
    Ecological Consultants
    Forensic Engineers
    Geotechnical/Soil Material Testing
    Ground Penetrating Radar
    Historical and Archeological Consultants
    Land Planners
    Land Surveyors
    Landscape Architects
    Mechanical Engineers
    Moisture Control
    Plans Review, Permitting & Inspection Services
    Real Estate Appraisers
    Roofing Consultants
    Structural Engineers
    Test & Balance Firms
    Transportation Engineering

     Question: What is the Jessica Lunsford Act?
    Answer: Click here for information on the Jessica Lunsford Act.