County signs off on jail construction manager contract
The Lancaster County Board signed onto an agreement with Lincoln-based Sampson Construction on Tuesday to manage construction of the new county jail at a cost that could come in around $2 million.
Sampson will earn $179,900 for pre-construction services and will get 3.25 percent of the total cost of the jail construction project.
The board set a limit of $65 million for the project, though management and architectural fees also must fit under that cap. In February, the board approved a $4.18 million contract with The Clark Enersen Partners for design services.
The deal with Sampson has been stalled by the board’s indecision on how best to manage construction.
Sampson Construction was the only respondent to a request for proposals circulated last fall with a bid of $1,000,089. The firm also proposed negotiating a “construction manager-at-risk” contract, in which Sampson guarantees a project cost once design is 60 percent along. Taking on the risk would bump up Sampson’s asking price, but in the end could save the county money by avoiding cost overruns.
In the interest of fairness, the board decided in late November to recirculate the request for proposals, this time asking for a construction manager at risk. Sampson was the only firm to respond.
The board also considered hiring a project manager, who would oversee the entire process and report directly to the County Board. But with finances tight, and the expectation that manager could cost an estimated $120,000 a year, the board opted to do without. Commissioners voting in favor of the plan said they felt the construction manager at risk set up offered the necessary oversight.
With early estimates the construction manager contract could cost as much as $4 million, the deal with Sampson is in the county’s favor, Commissioner Bernie Heier said.
Design on the new jail is expected to be completed later this year. Construction at Southwest 40th and West O streets could begin early next year.
Reach Jean Ortiz at 473-7107 or jortiz@journalstar.com.
Sampson will earn $179,900 for pre-construction services and will get 3.25 percent of the total cost of the jail construction project.
The board set a limit of $65 million for the project, though management and architectural fees also must fit under that cap. In February, the board approved a $4.18 million contract with The Clark Enersen Partners for design services.
The deal with Sampson has been stalled by the board’s indecision on how best to manage construction.
Sampson Construction was the only respondent to a request for proposals circulated last fall with a bid of $1,000,089. The firm also proposed negotiating a “construction manager-at-risk” contract, in which Sampson guarantees a project cost once design is 60 percent along. Taking on the risk would bump up Sampson’s asking price, but in the end could save the county money by avoiding cost overruns.
In the interest of fairness, the board decided in late November to recirculate the request for proposals, this time asking for a construction manager at risk. Sampson was the only firm to respond.
The board also considered hiring a project manager, who would oversee the entire process and report directly to the County Board. But with finances tight, and the expectation that manager could cost an estimated $120,000 a year, the board opted to do without. Commissioners voting in favor of the plan said they felt the construction manager at risk set up offered the necessary oversight.
With early estimates the construction manager contract could cost as much as $4 million, the deal with Sampson is in the county’s favor, Commissioner Bernie Heier said.
Design on the new jail is expected to be completed later this year. Construction at Southwest 40th and West O streets could begin early next year.
Reach Jean Ortiz at 473-7107 or jortiz@journalstar.com.
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