Empowering Excellence: Leadership Development in Facilities Management
The Community College Facility Coalition (CCFC) recently launched the Facilities Leadership Institute (CFLI) series, an exciting, rigorous, and challenging course of study designed to empower participants in the profession of higher education facilities management. This professional development program consists of six subject-specific one-day modules, taught over the course of two years. The program addresses vital topics such as leadership, governance, finance, regulations, legal, planning, design, construction, and maintenance.
On June 22, CCFC hosted its second module, “A Legal Framework for Successful Community College Facilities Projects,” at Santa Ana College. The session focused on the multitude of legal requirements for each step of a community college facility project, including:
- Pre-construction: Laws governing the selection of professional services, Division of the State Architect (DSA) oversight, bid requirements, and more.
- Construction: Statutory requirements from award of bid through construction and close-out; rights and responsibilities for the district, contractor, and architect, and how to work together to avoid claims and ensure a successful project.
- Purchasing/Contracts: Authorization to use procurement tools such as cooperative agreements, best value, job order contracts, emergency contracting, and more.
At the event, Priya Jerome, Executive Director of Procurement, Central Services, and Risk Management at South Orange County Community College District, presented along with other experienced professionals in the field. She provided an overview of various statutory requirements and shared best practices designed to mitigate legal risk. Her presentation covered the following topics:
- Public Works and Maintenance: CUPCCAA v. Non-CUPCCAA
- Bid Thresholds for Equipment, Materials, Supplies, and Services
- Continuing Contracts for Services and Supplies
- Cooperative Agreements: Piggybacks, CMAS, FoundationCCC/CollegeBuys
- Best Value for Goods, Equipment, and Materials
- Electronic Data Processing
- Job Order Contracts
- Contracting in Emergencies
- Day Labor/Force Account
- Board Policies/Administrative Procedures
Priya impeccably represented the CCC procurement community and demonstrated the importance of collaboration between facilities and purchasing departments to achieve successful outcomes in facility projects. Thank you, Priya!
The next module, “Facilities Planning,” will be held on September 14, 2023 at Mt. San Antonio College and will cover the following topics: facilities master planning, sustainability planning, FUSION, space inventory, 5-Year Plan, IPP, FPP, and project prioritization. If you are interested in attending or learning more about CFLI, please visit the CFLI website or email CCFC staff member, Jessica Contreras, at jcontreras@m-w-h.com.
