OTC selects Springfield firm Dake Wells, along with its national partner Perkins + Will, to provide architectural services for the Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM). The OTC Board of Trustees approved the proposal at a monthly board meeting held Monday, April 1.
In February, the board approved a proposal to move forward with architectural services with BatesForum. After the approval, and prior to issuing a Notice of Award to BatesForum, the college was informed of pending material changes in the management and proposed project team of BatesForum that affected the ranking of the architectural services firms who responded to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ). BatesForum was notified that the college has decided to award the contract for architectural services to another firm.
OTC reviewed 18 proposals for architectural services for the Center for Advanced Manufacturing. After learning of the changes in management and project team at BatesForum, the proposal review committee went to the firm with the second highest score in the initial review process, which was Dake Wells and its national partner Perkins + Will.
“It was extremely important for the college to partner with a local firm for this project, and Dake Wells ranked high in the RFQ process,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, OTC chancellor. “Plus, the firm partnered with international architects, Perkins + Will, which has experience designing facilities similar to the scope and caliber of the CAM.”
Dake Wells agreed to the same terms that the OTC Board of Trustees approved in February. The architecture firm will receive a base fee of 7.25 percent of the facility construction cost plus reimbursable expenses, which is expected to range between $1.6 and $2.7 million.
Slated to open in 2022, the CAM will serve as the regional hub for advanced manufacturing and technology-related education and training. The multi-million dollar facility will train students in high-growth areas of the manufacturing sector including mechatronics, 3-D printing, stainless steel production and precision manufacturing. As part of the planning process, OTC officials visited advanced manufacturing educational facilities around the country to learn about best practices and incorporate those into the college’s CAM.
In addition to courses designed for degree-seeking students, the CAM will offer continuing education for individuals and companies within the manufacturing field. The center’s footprint will include customizable simulation training centers, research and development labs, business incubation test centers, and a centralized, fully operational manufacturing plant.
The construction of the CAM was outlined in OTC’s strategic plan, “Your Dreams, Our Plan – OTC 2025.” The completion of the CAM fulfills strategic initiative two, goal one.