HomeMy WebLinkAboutAquatics Center Site Public Comment from Susan Bilo 8-1-14To: The City of Bozeman Commission
From: Susan Bilo, Bozeman Citizen
Regarding: Aquatics Center Suggestions
Date: August 1, 2014
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I am respectfully suggesting The City of Bozeman consider a different approach to procuring
the Aquatics Center and any future new buildings.
1. The General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) procurement method approved
for the Law & Justice Center is better than Design-Bid-Build, but the U.S. Department of
Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has proven that the most efficient
and cost-effective approach is to use an Energy-Performance-Based Design-Build
process.
- See attached document: An Energy-Performance-Based Design-Build Process: Strategies
for Procuring High-Performance Buildings on Typical Construction Costs.
- Controlling Capital Costs in High Performance Office (applicable to all building types)
Buildings: A Review of Best Practices for Overcoming Cost Barriers:
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy12osti/55264.pdf
For five NREL campus buildings, a “Best Value Design-Build/Fixed Price with Award” delivery
approach was used. If Bozeman leadership is willing to consider this and has questions
about the process, NREL representatives would gladly participate in a conference call to
address.
2. Even if Bozeman continues to use GC/CM, I suggest leadership determine and include
energy-performance goals (along with other normally listed goals) in the Request for
Qualifications and/or Request for Proposals. In doing so, Bozeman will attract firms that
know how to get us where we need to go. The goals would be written into the contract and
could include a set, ultra-low Energy Use Intensity (EUI) appropriate for the building type,
LEED goals, a Net Zero Energy goal, or Net Zero Energy-Ready goal.
What’s exceptional about this process is that it sets specific goals then allows the firms
flexibility in how they achieve them. In order to succeed they have to consider the site,
building orientation, solar heat gains, insulation levels, window quality, heat- or energy-
recovery ventilation systems, daylighting, energy- and water-efficient fixtures and appliances,
renewable energy system integration, etc. I suggest the hired firms be part of site selection
because a site can dictate building orientation.
The hired firms need to fully understand the critical importance of energy modeling and
how it needs to be conducted early and often throughout the design process. They will either
have an energy modeling expert on board or hire one as part of their team. This critical
design process cannot be an afterthought.
3. In addition to the above, it’s important Bozeman hire firms familiar with various solar hot
water systems for heating the new Aquatics Center pool and shower water. The hired firms
should also agree on the importance of water conservation and the wonderful opportunity the
Center can provide to educate citizens about conservation as well as solar technologies
applicable to their homes or businesses.