Winter Haven defends CMAR procurement as it advances $25M water production facilities contract

Winter Haven defends CMAR procurement as it advances $25M water production facilities contractThe City Commission awarded the Construction Manager at Risk contract to Wharton-Smith, prompting a public debate over the cost-effectiveness of alternative project delivery models versus traditional competitive bidding.

The City Commission unanimously authorized negotiations with Wharton-Smith, Inc. for CMAR services at the Cypresswood and Pollard Road Water Production Facilities.

A local contractor criticized the CMAR approach, citing a recent hard-bid sewer project that came in nearly $2 million under estimates.

City officials defended the CMAR model, emphasizing its ability to reduce costly change orders through early value engineering and guaranteed maximum pricing.

The commission also approved easements for a Polk Regional Water Cooperative transmission main that will deliver 0.70 MGD of alternative water supply by 2028.

On February 23, 2026, the Winter Haven City Commission voted to authorize contract negotiations with Wharton-Smith, Inc. for Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) services for the Cypresswood and Pollard Road Water Production Facilities. The decision advanced a critical piece of the city's water infrastructure plan but also ignited a public debate over municipal procurement strategies. The contract, which covers two water production sites, will see Wharton-Smith serve as a consultant during the design phase and as the general contractor during construction, ultimately providing a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). The firm was ranked first out of three proposals by the city's Professional Services Committee. During the meeting's public comment period, local contractor Scott Short expressed frustration over the city's reliance on the CMAR delivery method and its repeated selection of the same firm. Short noted that Wharton-Smith is already managing the city's $200 million wastewater plant project and a major Polk Regional Water Cooperative undertaking. Advocating for traditional design-bid-build procurement, Short cited a recent city sanitary sewer utility project that was estimated at $6.7 to $6.8 million but received competitive hard bids just under $5 million. "That right there is a classic example of what competitive bid will do for you," Short stated, arguing that the water production facilities could easily be designed and put out for competitive bid before their scheduled construction start next summer. City officials firmly defended the CMAR model. Mayor Pro Tem Mercer and the City Manager explained that while traditional hard bids award projects based solely on the lowest initial cost, they often leave the municipality vulnerable to expensive change orders if designs require modification. By integrating the contractor early in the process, the CMAR approach allows for value engineering, alternative material selection, and a GMP that minimizes financial risk. The City Manager noted that CMAR projects are awarded based on qualifications and experience rather than just the lowest bid, which is crucial for complex, multi-facility water treatment projects. Wharton-Smith brings significant expertise to the table, ranking as the top Southeast contractor for water supply projects by Engineering News-Record. The firm has a strong track record of delivering large-scale environmental infrastructure, including the $110.6 million Hamlin Water Reclamation Facility, which was completed ahead of schedule, and a $193.2 million expansion of the Northwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility. In addition to the CMAR award, the commission's unanimous consent agenda approval advanced other key water infrastructure items. The city approved a $68,000 contract with Kimley-Horn for the design and permitting of the Intermodal Logistics Center Regional Stormwater Pond. The commission also authorized the conveyance of permanent and temporary easements to the Polk Regional Water Cooperative. These easements will accommodate a new transmission main designed to deliver 0.70 million gallons per day of alternative water supply to the new Pollard Road facility beginning in October 2028.