Construction Costs

Preliminary Cost Assessments

We employ various methods to produce preliminary cost assessments for our projects. Adjusted for escalation, detailed, historical cost data is gathered from sources like the yearly R.S Means, the leading national construction & renovation cost database. While project management is conducted free of charge by OUA and FMD, other project costs can include:

• Design and Engineering
• Asbestos and Hazmat testing / Abatement
• Construction costs (whether contracted or in-house)
• HVAC controls, fire alarms, fire sprinklers and other code required systems
• Testing / Balancing and Commissioning
• Data, AV, and IT costs
• FFE (if included in project)

What We Do to Help Control Costs

UGA Facilities Management continually works to reduce construction costs while following regulations and maintaining campus standards. FMD has the ability to perform some renovation and construction projects with in-house labor forces executing over 50,000 minor reimbursable work orders annually. Because there can be a long waiting list for larger projects, utilization of in-house labor is one of many tools available to help control time and money spent on smaller projects. Resources are limited, so work must often be contracted out to ensure projects are completed in a timely, cost-efficient manner.

Facilities does not set construction prices — rather, we routinely and competitively bid major construction work using the Ga State Procurement Registry for Public Bids, Quality Based Selections through Request for Qualifications / Request for Proposals process (RFQ’s/ RFPs’). RFPs are advertised on a state database that markets projects to an extensive contracting community. Maintenance Project Management (MPM) also utilizes a network of Task Order Contractors; these Construction Managers are competitively selected based through the public bidding process, which provide the greatest value to the university. Task Order Contractors are able to deliver construction services more quickly than those who engage in the project specific QBS process.

MPM has also recently begun leveraging Design / Build project delivery. This allows us to bring on contractors early in the design phase to order early release packages and equipment to help combat the volatile nature of material procurement lead-time. The design builders early interaction also allows for contractor input during design which can identify implementation efficiencies which often translates into overall project cost savings.

Footnotes:

• UT System: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/reports/pdf/10612.PDF and http://uthscsa.edu/facilities/fixedprice.asp
• University of Arkansas: https://vcfa.uark.edu/policies/fayetteville/fama/7051.php
• Basic aesthetic renewal is defined as VCT or carpet replacement, painting one-for-one LED lighting retrofit and new ceiling tile. No HVAC or new electrical work. The space must be vacant and cleared by laboratory safety (if applicable).
• Laboratory renovations are highly specific to the space, the type of science, and the infrastructure required to support to research being performed. Minor renovations do not include moving walls or significant HVAC/electrical infrastructure.