Guiding sustainability and success
July 2010 — In support of its objective to become one of the United States's best urban school districts, the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD), the third largest district in Texas, initiated a $593.6-million bond program in 2007. A major component of the program was the creation of high-performance schools.
In anticipation of bond approval later that year, FWISD selected AECOM to serve as a pre-construction consultant, responsible for critical project planning. The AECOM team worked closely with district staff to develop organizational structures, procedures manuals, budget and schedule controls, market analysis, procurement strategies, as well as architect, engineer and contractor solicitations. Because of AECOM's diligent preparation efforts, FWISD was able to release requests for proposals to architects and engineers the day after voters approved the bond.
After the successful pre-construction process, FWISD asked AECOM to stay on as program manager. A three-phase, four-year program, the FWISD Capital Improvement Program involves the construction of 180 renovation projects, eight additions to existing schools and five new schools. In addition, work includes upgrades for improved accessibility, security, technology and building sustainability.
Under AECOM's guidance, FWISD developed and adopted a long-term sustainability design policy, making FWISD the first school district in Texas to institute formal sustainability guidelines for architects, engineers and general contractors working on school projects. FWISD has also adopted Texas Collaborative for High Performance Schools (TX-CHPS) Criteria. The Texas CHPS Criteria are a flexible yardstick that precisely defines a high-performance school. The criteria address site and materials selection, energy and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and they provide sustainable policies and innovations that can be adopted by schools and districts.
AECOM's Danilo López, AIA, LEED AP, CCM, served as a member of the Texas Advisory Committee that developed the new TX-CHPS Criteria. The committee used the work of other states in the CHPS program to adapt the CHPS criteria to the unique codes and regulations, climates, constraints and local priorities of the state. The committee was also charged to ensure that the spirit and stringency of CHPS was upheld in TX-CHPS. TX-CHPS applies not only to the design and construction of new schools, but also to major modernizations and additions to existing school campuses. Schools that pursue TX-CHPS will be supported by the CHPS organization throughout the design, construction and operation process.
The advisory committee reviewed and adjusted the point weightings across the TX-CHPS Criteria so that credits that increased energy performance and independence and those that improved student health were weighted heavier. Fort Worth and Dallas Independent School Districts, for which AECOM provides program management, both have embraced TX-CHPS.
AECOM was also instrumental in drafting a historically underutilized business (HUB) participation policy for FWISD and in the creating of a Citizens Oversight Committee to monitor the activities of the HUB program. The program requires a good faith effort from all parties involved in the bond program to reach a minimum of 25% HUB participation at all contracting levels. So far, the program has exceeded all expectations, with 57.8% of fees and 42.2% of all contracts committed to HUB firms.
Walter Dansby, Deputy Superintendent of the FWISD Capital Improvement Program, says of AECOM's management: "AECOM has provided a great service to Fort Worth ISD by taking a leadership position with regard to the establishment of Texas-CHPS and the implementation of Fort Worth ISD's sustainability policy. They have also worked very hard to promote HUB participation by actively engaging the HUB community and fostering a climate on this program that heavily emphasizes the importance of diversity and opportunity for all."
To date, the FWISD Capital Improvement Program is on schedule, with over 82 projects under construction and another 18 in design and construction procurement. The application of good administration and controls has contributed to budget savings of over $50 million to date. These savings have been allocated to fund additional technology services and equipment, security cameras and infrastructure upgrades, and other district-wide facility upgrades consistent with the bond program objectives. The first bond assignment, the renovation of 15 middle school tracks and construction of one new track, started on time in June 2008 and was also completed on time.
This work and many other similar programs across the U.S.A. are why Engineering News-Record has ranked AECOM as #1 in education by for the past eight consecutive years.
Jake Herson