What is an OPM?

An OPM (owner's project manager) is a city's agent in the management of a public building project. OPMs serve independently of any designer, general contractor, or subcontractor. As such, their only responsibility is to the municipality that hires them.

An OPM is expected to offer advice, uncolored by any conflicting interest, and to act in the municipality’s interest and at the municipality’s direction at all times.

The duties of an OPM are defined under M.G.L. c. 149, § 44A½:

The duties of the owner’s project manager shall include, but need not be limited to, providing advice and consultation with respect to design, value engineering, scope of the work, cost estimating, general contractor and subcontractor prequalification, pursuant to section 44D½ or 44D¾ when applicable, scheduling, construction and the selection, negotiation with and oversight of a designer and a general contractor for the project, ensuring the preparation of time schedules which shall serve as control standards for monitoring performance of the building project, and assisting in project evaluation including, but not limited to, written evaluations of the performance of the design professional, contractors, and subcontractors.

Under M.G.L. c. 149, municipalities are required to hire or appoint an OPM in connection with any public building contract estimated to cost $1.5 million or more. This requirement helps ensure that all major public building projects in the Commonwealth are overseen by a dedicated project manager with an experienced view and vigilance towards managing change, assessing risks, controlling interests, and avoiding overruns.

In January 2018, the Town chose Hill International of Boston to serve as OPM for the New Tufts Library Project.