Design-Build Bridging Construction Services for the New U. S. Courthouse, Huntsville, AL

Continuing a legacy of outstanding public architecture that was initiated with the founding of the nation, the General Services Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Service (PBS) seeks to commission our nation's most talented architects, landscape architects, interior designers, engineers, and construction professionals to design and construct federal facilities of outstanding quality and value. These projects are to demonstrate the value of true integrated design that balances aesthetics, cost, functionality, constructability, durability, and reliability; create environmentally responsible and superior workplaces for Federal employees; and give contemporary form and meaning to our democratic values. In this context, GSA announces an opportunity for Design and Construction Excellence in public architecture for performance of Architectural-Engineering Design and Construction services in accordance with GSA quality standards and requirements. As required by law, regulation or Executive Order, all facilities will meet Federal energy goals, security requirements, and achieve at least LEED Gold and SITES Silver certifications.

The General Services Administration (GSA) intends to award a Design-Build Bridging (DB-B) Contract for construction of a new U.S. Courthouse, located in the Huntsville, Alabama pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Two-Phase Design-Build Selection Procedures (FAR Subpart 36.3).  This acquisition encompasses the design and construction of offices and related space for the U.S. District Court for Northern Alabama; U.S. Bankruptcy Court and Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Administrator, U.S. Department of Justice - Attorney’s Office, U.S. Probation Office, U.S. Department of Justice - Marshals Service and GSA/PBS Field Office. The newly constructed courthouse shall be located on GSA owned property, on approximately a 5 acre site bounded by Gallatin Street and Lowe Avenue located at 660 Gallatin Street.  The total space requirement consists of approximately 123,106 gross square feet for agency personnel, furnishings and equipment and includes 26 inside, secured parking spaces. The building will be designed and constructed in English units.  The estimated total design build cost is between $60 - $70 million with occupancy planned for the year 2024.  The scope of Design Build services will include but not be limited to the following: design and construction documents and construction work, which consists of providing all labor, materials and equipment for a complete buildout to include demolition and site development.

GSA intends to award a firm fixed price contract for design build bridging services.  This project will utilize the Design-Build Bridging (DB-B) delivery method, with the Design Build (DB) contract procured by competitive negotiation using a two phase design-build selection procedure (FAR Subpart 36.3). A single DB contract will be issued for Design Development and Construction Documents services, as well as all construction work including tenant improvements and all required specialty construction work. For this contract award process, GSA will issue two Solicitations in sequence: Phase 1 and Phase 2, respectively.

The purpose of Phase 1 (the Request for Qualifications) is to select the most highly qualified Offerors from Phase 1 to participate in Phase 2 (the Request for Proposals). Once Phase 1 is complete, the Contracting Officer will invite the "short-listed" Offerors to submit Phase 2 proposals. Potential Offerors are hereby placed on notice that GSA will publicly announce the names of the Phase 1 "short-list" on beta.sam.gov.

Maximum Number of "Short-Listed" Offerors: The Contracting Officer will select a maximum of three (3) of the most highly rated Offerors to proceed to Phase 2.

Phase 2 of the solicitation is prepared in accordance with FAR Part 15 and includes the Phase 2 evaluation factors, developed in accordance with 15.304. Phase 2 solicitations require submission of technical and price proposals, which are evaluated separately, in accordance with Part 15.

Stipend: In consideration for the preparation of Phase 2 technical proposal, GSA is considering paying a stipend to Offerors not selected for award of the resulting contract.  Offerors that submit incomplete or unacceptable Phase 2 proposals will not be eligible for the stipend. For the avoidance of doubt, no stipend is paid during Phase 1.

At the conclusion of Phase 2, GSA intends to award a contract to a single Offeror for all design and construction services.

This procurement will be full and open. The firm (if not a small business concern) shall be required to present an acceptable small business subcontracting plan in accordance with FAR 19.7, as part of its Phase 2 proposal.

The solicitation will be released within 15 days after the pre-solicitation notice is posted.