N.J. Admin. Code § 19:34B-2.3

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 19:34B-2.3 - Evaluation of district capacity

(a) The Authority's district assessment committee shall evaluate the school district's application to determine whether the school district possesses the ability to manage school facilities projects.

1. With respect to the committee's evaluation of whether the school district possesses the requisite capacity, such determinations shall be based upon the following factors:

i. The current capacity of the school district to administer fundamental district responsibilities relevant to capital facilities, including, but not limited to, maintenance, planning, procurement, construction, budgeting, accounting, scheduling, and any other similar essential responsibilities;

ii. The qualifications of key district personnel to administer the fundamental district responsibilities as outlined above, as determined by the Authority in its sole discretion;

iii. The school district's performance of routine maintenance and required maintenance on school facilities projects in accordance with operations and maintenance manuals, warranties and guarantees so as to fully achieve the useful life of all components of school facilities projects, including the district's demonstrated compliance with the maintenance obligations of any Section 13D Maintenance Agreement;

iv. The school district's performance with respect to the administration or management of any Authority-funded grant projects, if applicable;

v. The Department's rating with respect to the school district's performance on the operations management component of the Department's Quality Single Accountability Continuum District Performance Review for Facilities Operations specific to school facilities; and

vi. Any other factor deemed relevant by the Authority to an assessment of the school district's capacity.

2. Each member of the district assessment committee shall review the application for determination of district capacity based on the applicable evaluation criteria. The committee may require a meeting with the school district to obtain additional technical and/or organizational information.

3. If the district assessment committee determines that the school district does not have the necessary capacity to manage the delegable portions of school facilities projects, the application shall be denied, and the school district will be promptly notified in writing of the reasons for the denial. The Authority shall thereafter, in conjunction with the Commissioner, devise and offer a proposed training program if the reason for the denial is of the type that can be remedied with training. Such training program shall be designed to provide the district with technical assistance intended to address any identified deficiencies and/or increase the district's capacity to manage school facilities projects. The proposed training program may include, but is not limited to, training in the following areas:

i. Financial, accounting, and budgeting;

ii. Planning;

iii. Procurement and/or prequalification;

iv. Evaluation of architectural plans;

v. Construction management;

vi. Documentation of best practices; and/or

vii. Governance and compliance.

4. If the school district is determined by the district assessment committee to possess the requisite capacity, the district will be so notified in writing and the Authority will transmit a project delegation application to the school district to complete and submit to the Authority.

(b) The Authority shall review applications for school district capacity assessments from interested school districts in the order in which completed applications are received by the Authority, unless the Authority determines that scheduling concerns or project needs require expedited review of a district's application.

(c) In making the determination that a school district possesses the necessary capacity to manage school facilities projects, the SDA may, in its sole discretion, determine that the scope of responsibilities delegable to the school district may include the procurement and/or management of the following:

1. Construction management and administration;

2. Construction; and/or

3. Demolition services.

(d) In the event that the Authority determines that a particular school facilities project shall be procured and managed as a design-build project, such determination shall preclude delegation of the project, with the exception of procurement or management of demolition services.

(e) In the event that the Authority determines that a school district has the necessary district capacity to manage school facilities projects, such determination shall remain effective for a period of three years from date of notification by the Authority unless the Authority, in its sole discretion, determines that a reassessment is warranted. The school district shall provide written notice to the Authority of any key district personnel changes within seven days of their effective date which may result in a determination by the Authority that a reassessment is required.

N.J. Admin. Code § 19:34B-2.3