ESD Marcy Nanocenter-Cree Wolfspeed Funding Agent's Representative

Location: Marcy, New York | Completion Date: 2021 | Services Provided: Funding Agent's Representative

As announced by Governor Cuomo in September of 2019, Cree, Inc. has developed a state-of-the-art Silicon Carbide and Gallium Nitride Manufacturing Fab comprising a 200 mm SiC wafer facility on the Marcy Campus of the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute located in Marcy, New York.

Cree I Wolfspeed is one of the world’s leading innovators and manufacturers of wide bandgap semiconductors, which hold advantages to incumbent technologies in conserving, converting and utilizing energy leading to increased efficiency, higher switching frequency and reduced system size and weight in a variety of applications in the communications, industrial, energy and transportation markets.

Empire State Development’s role in this project was to administer $500 million in state funds that were appropriated for the project, and made available as a grant to Cree to reimburse construction and fit-out costs incurred by Cree in the construction of the Facility. Aubertine and Currier's role was to supervise and monitor construction activities and the use of ESD grant funds as outlined in the Scope of Services. The Facility includes: a) three-level, 200 mm SiC cleanroom with approximately 100,000 to 135,000 square feet of cleanroom space; b) a three-story general administrative building containing approximately 75,000 square feet of administrative office space; c) a central utility building with approximately 70,000 square feet of space; d) a bulk gas yard consisting of approximately 30,000 square feet and an electrical service yard consisting of approximately 60,000 square feet; and e) all associated site utilities and related improvements including but not limited to: driveways, interior access roads, sidewalks, parking lots, landscaping and signage.  A&C's task list includes the following:

• Review of project budget and monthly payment applications

• Field verification of level of completeness

• Cost estimating & project cost control reporting when applicable

• Ensuring project maintains design/construction schedules

• Change order, claims, & risk management

• MWBE compliance, review of good faith efforts, follow up on MWBE outreach and solicitation, and MWBE reporting

• Review bidding of subcontracts and/or vendors to ensure compliance with established protocols including bid leveling, descoping, and MWBE subcontracting goals

• Provide no-less-than weekly summaries of activity on each project

• Monitor Request for Information and submittal logs to ensure timely responses

• Management of owner third-party contracts associated with project if required (inspections, estimating services, expeditors, etc.)

• Quality assurance and control planning and implementation

• Ensuring proper record keeping on project

• Ensuring all relevant permits and licenses are in place for subcontractors, General Contractor, Owner, and Grantee throughout the course of the project