CANCELLED - Design Build Solicitation - Metzenbaum Plaza Repairs Project

GSA intends to award a Design-Build (DB) contract for the repair or replacement of the plaza and structural support system of the Howard M. Metzenbaum U.S. Courthouse (Metzenbaum) in Cleveland, OH, pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Two-Phase Design-Build Selection Procedures (FAR 36.3). The project includes design-build services.

This project will take place at the Howard M. Metzenbaum U.S. Courthouse in Cleveland, OH. The Metzenbaum Courthouse, built between 1903 and 1910, is a five-story structure designed in the neoclassical style. It is one of the most significant structures in Cleveland’s downtown cityscape and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The facade is clad with granite and remains essentially the same as when it was originally constructed. Between 2002 and 2005, the courthouse was modernized for the primary use of the Bankruptcy Courts after the District Courts relocated to the newly constructed Stokes Courthouse.

The Metzenbaum U.S. Courthouse is located at the center of Cleveland Ohio’s Public Square. This prominent location adds to the building’s status as a Cleveland landmark. The building is surrounded on three sides by a plaza that addresses the Public Square. The plaza is heavily trafficked by pedestrians and supports two priceless Daniel Chester French statues that are part of the GSA’s public art collection.

The plaza’s concrete, waterproofing membrane, and most of its supporting steel framing was last replaced in 1972, and the top slab was replaced in 1987. Shoring was installed over a decade ago to support the sidewalk vault structurally and to prevent the public sidewalk from collapsing. Maintenance and repairs are no longer sufficient for preventing water leaks through the plaza.

The plaza’s concrete structural slab is failing. Widespread deterioration under the plaza’s structural slab ranges from small spalls to large areas of complete delamination. The damage has gone beyond concrete and reinforcing deterioration to significant loss of structural steel sections. The steel can be restored in some areas but will have to be replaced in others. The elevator lift that serves the mail screening room in the basement must remain operational during the project and will be used by the construction contractor for vertical conveyance. Refurbishment of the lift will be required after the plaza work is completed.

The foundation wall’s lack of waterproofing allows moisture and water to infiltrate through several cracks. Waterproofing that was applied in previous slab replacement projects only goes down a few feet below grade and has worn away. The remainder of the foundation wall has no waterproofing. The wall moisture has corroded the full height of the vertical steel channels at the inside face of the wall that are likely a key part of the wall’s strength.

The two significant Daniel Chester French statues are located on the south elevation of the building. The statues are supported by both the building exterior wall and the sidewalk slab. Movement and deterioration of the sidewalk slab create a risk of cracking in the statues. The original clay tile floor slab supporting the base of the statues has fallen away, leaving only unreinforced cement topping between the steel beams and the statue base. A new support system needs to be installed to isolate the statues from the sidewalk slab.

This project seeks Design Build services for the improvements necessary to repair or replace the plaza and its structural support system for the safety of tenants and visitors and long term stabilization of the property. 

This project will utilize the Design-Build (DB) delivery method, with the DB contract procured by competitive negotiation using a two-phase design-build selection procedure (FAR 36.3). A single DB contract will be issued for a design concept submission, Design Development Phase and Construction Documents Phase services, as well as all construction work. For this contract award process, GSA will issue a Solicitation consisting of Phase I and Phase II, respectively.

The purpose of Phase I (the request for qualifications) is to select the most highly qualified Offerors from Phase I to participate in Phase II (the request for proposals). At the conclusion of Phase I, GSA will invite the Short-Listed Offerors to submit Phase II proposals. Phase II proposals will require submission of technical and price proposals, which are evaluated separately in accordance with FAR Part 15. Potential Offerors are hereby placed on notice that GSA will publicly announce the names of the Phase I “short-list” on SAM.gov.

The technical evaluation factors for Phase I are as follows: 

1. Technical Qualifications
   a.  Subfactor 1.A: Experience of the General Contractor and A/E - 40 points
   b.  Subfactor 1.B: Past Performance of the General Contractor and A/E - 15 points
2. Approach to Design Build - 20 points
3. Lead Designer - 25 points
   Total Points = 100

The Maximum number of shortlisted offers advancing to Phase II will be three (3). 

The technical evaluation factors for Phase II are as follows:
1. Quality of Design Concept 40 points
2. Qualifications, Experience and Past Performance of Key Personnel 35 points
3. Management and Technical Approach 22 points
          Total Points = 100

In consideration of the preparation of a Phase II technical proposal, GSA will pay a stipend of $52,500.00 to each of the Phase II Offerors who satisfy the terms of the Request for Proposals, but are not selected for award of the resulting contract. 

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

This contract will be a full and open procurement, available to both large and small business firms. As part of the Phase II proposal, large business Offerors will be required to submit an acceptable small business subcontracting plan in accordance with FAR Part 19.7.

A Pre-Proposal meeting will be held on June 26, 2025 in Cleveland, OH at 1:00pm EST. Prospective attendees are to register their company with the GSA Contracting Officer, Anna Vanko, via email at anna.vanko@gsa.gov for all individuals planning to attend. Call in reservations will not be accepted. This meeting is intended to review the scope of the project and the submittal requirements for Phase I. Please note, contractors will be required to wear a hardhat for a portion of the walk-through. Hardhats must be provided by the offeror; GSA is unable to provide hardhats for those participating. An additional site visit and Pre-Proposal conference will be scheduled during the Phase II portion as well. 

Award is anticipated in May of 2026 with substantial completion anticipated in Winter 2029/2030. 

The estimated cost range is between $18,000,000 and $28,000,000.

This is a negotiated, best value procurement. The contractor is to provide all management, supervision, manpower, equipment and supplies necessary for this project. The proposed contract is being solicited as full and open competition. 

AMENDMENT 0001 - This amendment captures RFIs received to date. Note, this amendment hereby extends the due date for RFIs to 7/15/2025, no later than 4:00pm Eastern Time. The due date for proposals is also hereby extended to no later than 4:00pm Eastern Time on 7/29/2025. This amendment also incorporates the Agenda and Sign-In Sheet from the Pre-Proposal Conferenced held on site on 6/26/2025.

GSA intends to award a Design-Build (DB) contract for the repair or replacement of the plaza and structural support system of the Howard M. Metzenbaum U.S. Courthouse (Metzenbaum) in Cleveland, OH, pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Two-Phase Design-Build Selection Procedures (FAR 36.3). The project includes design-build services.

This project will take place at the Howard M. Metzenbaum U.S. Courthouse in Cleveland, OH. The Metzenbaum Courthouse, built between 1903 and 1910, is a five-story structure designed in the neoclassical style. It is one of the most significant structures in Cleveland’s downtown cityscape and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The facade is clad with granite and remains essentially the same as when it was originally constructed. Between 2002 and 2005, the courthouse was modernized for the primary use of the Bankruptcy Courts after the District Courts relocated to the newly constructed Stokes Courthouse.

The Metzenbaum U.S. Courthouse is located at the center of Cleveland Ohio’s Public Square. This prominent location adds to the building’s status as a Cleveland landmark. The building is surrounded on three sides by a plaza that addresses the Public Square. The plaza is heavily trafficked by pedestrians and supports two priceless Daniel Chester French statues that are part of the GSA’s public art collection.

The plaza’s concrete, waterproofing membrane, and most of its supporting steel framing was last replaced in 1972, and the top slab was replaced in 1987. Shoring was installed over a decade ago to support the sidewalk vault structurally and to prevent the public sidewalk from collapsing. Maintenance and repairs are no longer sufficient for preventing water leaks through the plaza.

The plaza’s concrete structural slab is failing. Widespread deterioration under the plaza’s structural slab ranges from small spalls to large areas of complete delamination. The damage has gone beyond concrete and reinforcing deterioration to significant loss of structural steel sections. The steel can be restored in some areas but will have to be replaced in others. The elevator lift that serves the mail screening room in the basement must remain operational during the project and will be used by the construction contractor for vertical conveyance. Refurbishment of the lift will be required after the plaza work is completed.

The foundation wall’s lack of waterproofing allows moisture and water to infiltrate through several cracks. Waterproofing that was applied in previous slab replacement projects only goes down a few feet below grade and has worn away. The remainder of the foundation wall has no waterproofing. The wall moisture has corroded the full height of the vertical steel channels at the inside face of the wall that are likely a key part of the wall’s strength.

The two significant Daniel Chester French statues are located on the south elevation of the building. The statues are supported by both the building exterior wall and the sidewalk slab. Movement and deterioration of the sidewalk slab create a risk of cracking in the statues. The original clay tile floor slab supporting the base of the statues has fallen away, leaving only unreinforced cement topping between the steel beams and the statue base. A new support system needs to be installed to isolate the statues from the sidewalk slab.

This project seeks Design Build services for the improvements necessary to repair or replace the plaza and its structural support system for the safety of tenants and visitors and long term stabilization of the property. 

This project will utilize the Design-Build (DB) delivery method, with the DB contract procured by competitive negotiation using a two-phase design-build selection procedure (FAR 36.3). A single DB contract will be issued for a design concept submission, Design Development Phase and Construction Documents Phase services, as well as all construction work. For this contract award process, GSA will issue a Solicitation consisting of Phase I and Phase II, respectively.

The purpose of Phase I (the request for qualifications) is to select the most highly qualified Offerors from Phase I to participate in Phase II (the request for proposals). At the conclusion of Phase I, GSA will invite the Short-Listed Offerors to submit Phase II proposals. Phase II proposals will require submission of technical and price proposals, which are evaluated separately in accordance with FAR Part 15. Potential Offerors are hereby placed on notice that GSA will publicly announce the names of the Phase I “short-list” on SAM.gov.

The technical evaluation factors for Phase I are as follows: 

1. Technical Qualifications
   a.  Subfactor 1.A: Experience of the General Contractor and A/E - 40 points
   b.  Subfactor 1.B: Past Performance of the General Contractor and A/E - 15 points
2. Approach to Design Build - 20 points
3. Lead Designer - 25 points
   Total Points = 100

The Maximum number of shortlisted offers advancing to Phase II will be three (3). 

The technical evaluation factors for Phase II are as follows:
1. Quality of Design Concept 40 points
2. Qualifications, Experience and Past Performance of Key Personnel 35 points
3. Management and Technical Approach 22 points
          Total Points = 100

In consideration of the preparation of a Phase II technical proposal, GSA will pay a stipend of $52,500.00 to each of the Phase II Offerors who satisfy the terms of the Request for Proposals, but are not selected for award of the resulting contract. 

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

This contract will be a full and open procurement, available to both large and small business firms. As part of the Phase II proposal, large business Offerors will be required to submit an acceptable small business subcontracting plan in accordance with FAR Part 19.7.

A Pre-Proposal meeting will be held on June 26, 2025 in Cleveland, OH at 1:00pm EST. Prospective attendees are to register their company with the GSA Contracting Officer, Anna Vanko, via email at anna.vanko@gsa.gov for all individuals planning to attend. Call in reservations will not be accepted. This meeting is intended to review the scope of the project and the submittal requirements for Phase I. Please note, contractors will be required to wear a hardhat for a portion of the walk-through. Hardhats must be provided by the offeror; GSA is unable to provide hardhats for those participating. An additional site visit and Pre-Proposal conference will be scheduled during the Phase II portion as well. 

Award is anticipated in May of 2026 with substantial completion anticipated in Winter 2029/2030. 

The estimated cost range is between $18,000,000 and $28,000,000.

This is a negotiated, best value procurement. The contractor is to provide all management, supervision, manpower, equipment and supplies necessary for this project. The proposed contract is being solicited as full and open competition.