General Program Questions

What is the project timeline for the six new schools?

PGCPS has completed final contract negotiations with the selected project development team, Prince George’s County Education & Community Partners. Design and permitting will take place throughout 2021. Construction on the six schools will begin in the summer and fall of 2021 and continue through July of 2023. The facilities management contract for the new schools is a 30-year term that will run from 2023 – 2053.

What are the six new schools and where are they located?

• Adelphi Middle School, Adelphi, MD

• Colin L. Powell K-8 Academy, Fort Washington, MD

• Drew-Freeman Middle School, Suitland, MD

• Hyattsville Middle School, Hyattsville, MD

• Kenmoor Middle School, Landover, MD

• Walker Mill Middle School, Capitol Heights, MD

How many students will these new schools accommodate?

Each of the five new middle schools are designed for 1,200 students. New Southern Area K-8 will house 800 elementary school students and 1,200 middle school students.

What is the name of the Development Team that is leading this contract?

Prince George’s County Education and Community Partners (PGCECP) is led by Fengate Capital Management and Gilbane Development, two of North America’s leading alternative project delivery firms. Gilbane Building Company and Stantec will serve as the Design-Build team, and Honeywell International will be the Facilities Services firm.

Will there be employment or contracting opportunities available to local individuals and firms?

Yes. PGCECP is in the process of developing an employment and construction/facilities management contracting opportunities plan. Over the next few months, we will post this plan to our website and continue to update it on a monthly basis. PGCECP will also be partnering with a variety of County and State of Maryland employment and business associations to disseminate employment and contracting opportunities.

How do firms prequalify to bid on project contracts?

All construction bids and contracts will be issued and awarded through Gilbane’s ibidpro platform. All interested contractors and vendors will need to prequalify their firms through ibidpro. It can be accessed at ibidpro.com. Beginning in 2022 Honeywell will begin their contractor outreach program to support the facilities maintenance requirements of this program.

How frequently will you hold MBE/CBB outreach sessions?

We plan to host monthly virtual MBE/CBB outreach sessions, as well as monthly virtual technical ibidpro prequalification sessions. These will begin in November 2020 and run for the next 6-9 months. Please keep an eye on the calendar of events tab on the website.

When will construction scopes of work and bid schedules be announced?

We anticipate that our construction scopes of work will be identified in Q1 2021. Bid schedules should also be finalized by the end of Q1 2021 as well. Please note that bidding will likely take place from Q2 through Q4 2021 depending on the bid package.

Please outline internship opportunities for students and how students can apply.

Each of the prime team members (Gilbane, Stantec and Honeywell) and many of our partners plan to provide summer internship opportunities for Prince George’s County residents. We will post internship opportunities and contact information on our website. As we begin to onboard major trade contractors in 2021, we will also list internship opportunities for these specialty trades and their contact information. Stay tuned in 2021 as we begin to select our various trade contractors.

Please discuss apprenticeship opportunities that will be available and how can interested persons learn more.

Apprenticeship opportunities are primarily going to be sponsored by the trade contractors that are selected for this contract. During the bidding process these contractors will make commitments to apprenticeship opportunities that they will sponsor. As soon as these contractors are selected, we will update the website with the names and contact information for the selected firms and the contact information at those forms regarding apprenticeship inquiries.

Will there be employment opportunities with the prime contractors, subcontractors and facilities maintenance firms?

Yes, at all levels. All employment opportunities for prime contractors, subcontractors and the facilities maintenance firm will be provided to Employ Prince George’s, who will act as one of the clearing houses for employment opportunities for this multi-school construction and maintenance program. As subcontractors are selected their employment needs to fulfill their individual contracts will also be provided to Employ Prince George’s.

We understand that mentor-protégé programs will be available to local businesses. Please tell us more about these programs and how local firms can get involved.

Both Gilbane and Stantec have already selected local Prince George’s County firms to serve in a mentor-protégé relationship during the design-build phase of the program, and we will look to add other firms in 2021. There will also be considerable mentor-protégé opportunities at the trade contractor level, once those firms are selected in 2021. As trade contractors are selected, we will post their mentor-protégé contact information on this website.

Will there be opportunities for PGCPS Career & Technical Education (CTE) students to become involved in this program?

Provided students or recent graduates are over 18 years of age there will be opportunities for them to get involved through employment, internships or educational programs. Our team is meeting with CTE leadership in November to discuss opportunities to involve students and graduates in this program.

Will there be elevator access for students in wheelchairs?

Yes. All Blueprint Schools are ADA accessible.

How much parking is provided?

Middle Schools: 140 parking spaces for staff and visitors; K-8 School: 220 parking spaces for staff and visitors.

How many students per lunch seating?

Middle Schools: 1/3 of the student capacity or 400 students; K-8 School: 667 students equally split across upper and lower grades.

When will the Blueprint Schools be ready for occupancy?

All Blueprint Schools are on schedule for occupancy the start of SY 2023 – 2024.

What is the Alternative Construction Finance program?

Blueprint Schools, PGCPS’ Alternative Construction Finance (ACF) program, is a design-build-finance-maintain school project delivery model. The awarded development team, Prince George’s County Education Partners (PGCECP) accelerates the creation of six new schools within three (3) years, a process that would otherwise take 12-15 years.

Who is PGCECP?

Blueprint Schools, PGCPS’ Alternative Construction Finance (ACF) program, is a design-build-finance-maintain school project delivery model. The awarded development team, Prince George’s County Education Partners (PGCECP) accelerates the creation of six new schools within three (3) years, a process that would otherwise take 12-15 years.

Does PGCECP own and/or control the use of the Blueprint Schools?

No. PGCPS retains ownership and sole decision-making authority of the operation and use of all Blueprint Schools.

What is the enrollment capacity of the Blueprint Schools?

Middle Schools: 1,200 students; K-8: 2,000 students.

Will the Blueprint Schools be LEED certified?

Blueprint Schools are built with a minimum of LEED Silver certification.

How many CBBs, CBSBs, and MBEs are eligible to bid for work as part of the Blueprint Schools initiative?

All Prince George’s County-based businesses and minority owned businesses are eligible to participate. PGCECP conducts monthly recruitment fairs to share opportunities, prep business owners, and encourage match-making.