Monterey County authorized a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) project‑delivery program to give Public Works an additional contracting option for complex vertical construction projects above $1,000,000.

Lucio Chua, capital improvement manager, told the Board the CMAR method brings a contractor into preconstruction for constructability reviews, early cost estimating and development of a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), which can reduce change orders and shorten schedules — staff estimated projects can be delivered roughly 25% faster than the traditional design‑bid‑build process. Chua cited Public Contract Code §20146 as the enabling statute and recommended deploying CMAR using a best‑value selection method that weights experience, price, project plan, safety record and financial strength.

The presentation noted tradeoffs: CMAR work can be more expensive upfront, requires bonding and insurance, may reduce some subcontractor bid competition and increases administrative oversight. The county proposes adding a county representative construction manager to protect county interests during preconstruction and construction phases.

Supervisors asked how the CMAR program would preserve local participation. Florence Caposso Green, chief of facilities, said best‑value criteria can be structured to include local preference points or weighting for local subcontractor participation and that project‑specific requirements (including local hiring in project labor agreements) could be included. Public Works and the capital improvement team said CMAR is an additional tool, not a replacement for design‑bid‑build or Job Order Contracting (JOC), and staff will recommend CMAR only where a project clearly warrants it.

After discussion, the Board approved the program and the recommended guidelines, with supervisors emphasizing local‑preference considerations and continued reporting back on candidate projects.