The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC), in partnership with Boston 2004, Inc. and the New Boston Garden Corporation (NBGC), today announced that Shawmut Design and Construction, Primary Group, and SAR Engineering, Inc. have won the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) round to serve as the Construction Management team for the Democratic National Convention, to be held at the FleetCenter from July 26-29, 2004.

Shawmut Design and Construction, located in Boston's South End, will serve as the Construction Manager. Shawmut has been ranked by ICIC-Inc. Magazine as one of the 100 fastest growing inner-city companies in America. James J. Stukel, Jr. will serve as Shawmut's principal manager on this project; Stukel also oversaw construction at the 1996 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Primary Group, a certified Minority Business Enterprise, will provide architectural services at the direction of its founder Kirk Sykes, one of Boston's most well-respected architects. SAR Engineering, Inc., also a certified, Boston-based MBE, will provide engineering services for this project. Bruce Bolling, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Alliance of Small Contractors, will serve as a consultant to provide access to qualified MBE/WBE subcontractors.

The DNCC, in conjunction with Boston 2004 and NBGC, issued an RFQ for this project on December 16, 2003 for Massachusetts-based construction firms. The RFQ required that bidders, if not minority and/or woman-owned firms themselves, partner with minority and/or woman-owned firms. After reviewing each bid, the DNCC and its partners concluded that the Shawmut/Primary Group/SAR team offered the most comprehensive package based on experience, cost, and commitment to diverse participation. The Shawmut/Primary Group/SAR team submitted the lowest bid and guaranteed at least 50% MBE/WBE participation among its subcontractors. The total budget allocated for this project is $3.5 million.

“The Boston-based Shawmut/Primary Group/SAR team has a proven track record of experience and inclusion. There is no better partnership to manage the construction needs for the 2004 Convention,” said Convention CEO Rod O'Connor.

The Shawmut/Primary Group/SAR team will be responsible for the alteration of the FleetCenter to accommodate the 2004 Democratic National Convention and subsequent restoration to its original condition. They will also provide the overall coordination, design, management, supervision and scheduling of subcontractors to complete this job.

“I am extremely pleased with this choice,” stated Mayor Tom Menino. “The Shawmut/Primary Group/SAR team typifies what this city has to offer: world-class services from a diverse group of companies.”

“I look forward to working with the Shawmut/Primary Group/SAR team to exceed its baseline commitment of 50% participation by qualified MBE/WBE subcontractors,” stated Bruce Bolling, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Alliance of Small Contractors .

The Shawmut/Primary Group/SAR team will work on a day-to-day basis with the DNCC and NBGC on the build out of the FleetCenter. Preconstruction planning will begin immediately upon the signing of a final contract. “The FleetCenter is eager to work with the Shawmut/Primary Group/SAR team,” stated General Manager John Wentzell. “They have the experience and resources to effectively manage both the build out and restoration of our facility.”

“Shawmut is thrilled to join the Convention team” said Jim Stukel. “This is a complex and time-sensitive project and I look forward to bringing to bear my unique experience from the 1996 Convention so that we hit the ground running,” he added.

“This is an elite and well-balanced team” said Kirk Sykes. “Together with Shawmut and SAR, Primary Group looks forward to working with the Convention team to design and build a unique convention hall.”