Feasibility study, Request for Qualifications
December 25, 2013There are many steps required in the design and construction of a new hospital, and the passing of the November 5 ballot measure to replace Curry General Hospital was only the first of many.
The Board of Directors, governing body for Curry Health District, recently agreed to contract with an audit firm to perform a feasibility study that results in a forecasting model of a five-year budget. Lenders, bondholders and the USDA - as part of the financing application process - require the study. District taxpayers voted in support of a $10 million levy, and the District will be obtaining the other estimated $10 million from other sources.
Ken Landau, Chief Financial Officer, received proposals from four different firms, but the Board elected to go with Wipfli, LLC. Wiipfli has a proven track record of success with the USDA, and is a national firm Landau has worked with in the past. The feasibility study is expected to be completed in 12 weeks.
Administration and the Board of Directors have also been considering different project management methodologies including Design/Build, Design/Bid/Build, and Contract Manager at Risk - each having unique varying degrees of benefits associated with the particular methodology.
Board member Deb Wilson says there might be benefit in going with a Design/Build firm who specializes in healthcare facilities, has a proven record of accomplishment, understands our market, and can complete the project quickly. "The expertise of such a firm may result in lower overall costs," said Wilson.
To best ensure having a new hospital which meets the needs of the community and today's medical technology, and to make wise use of the taxpayers' investment, Andrew Bair, CEO, has this week issued a "generic" Request for Qualifications (RFQ). The RFQ will allow firms using all different methodologies to respond to the request. "It will be up to them to convince us why their firm and their methodology are best for us," said Bair.
All responding firms will be invited to attend a workshop on January 14 where they will meet with the Board, be walked through the scope of the new hospital project, and have any questions about the RFQ answered. The workshop is a preliminary event, and the deadline for firms to submit their responses and qualifications will be January 29.