The City received four bids last week for renovations to the old federal courthouse with a low base bid of $30.9 million — more than $2 million over the total allotted cost outlined in legislation being reviewed by City Council.
The legislation, in the Council Rules and Finance committees, would appropriate $28 million for construction and $2 million as a contingency for the build-out and renovations of the building at 311 W. Monroe St. to be used as the state attorney's office.
Those figures might not stand for long.
Council member Greg Anderson has worked with the Council Auditor's Office and City Finance Department to adjust that figure to the amount of remaining Better Jacksonville Project funds.
He said Monday that the new figure is likely around $26 million, plus potential contingency funds that could be added through savings realized from the courthouse construction.
The new figure would be introduced as an amendment to the legislation. The committees meet next week.
"We have some work to do, no doubt about it," Anderson said.
The Morganti Group Inc., Barton Malow Co., Elkins Constructors Inc. and Sauer Inc. were the four companies to place base bids, plus three additional figures dependent on variations of a pedestrian bridge to connect the building with the courthouse.
Morganti was the low base bid at $30.85 million, with the potential for a $29.65 million low package. The company has four Florida locations in addition to international and other U.S. offices.
As reported by the Daily Record, the construction was anticipated to be about $25 million, with the scope of the work calling for providing all materials, equipment and labor necessary to renovate the structure. It would include, but not be limited to, demolition, new construction, historical restoration, carpentry, architectural woodwork, insulation and interior finishes, among others.
Bids were due last Wednesday.
The bids will be reviewed by the General Government Awards Committee, with the winning firm then entering negotiations with the City.
David DeCamp, Mayor Alvin Brown's communications director, said that some savings could possibly be found during negotiations, but Brown is looking for the best value for the project and will not increase its budget.
"If we have to rebid it, that's what we're going to do," DeCamp said.
Rebidding the project would require another Request for Proposals, which could push the project back several months, DeCamp said.
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The bids
Here's how the four companies bid on the renovations to the old federal courthouse, which is slated to become the State Attorney's Office. The bids reflect a base, with three additional figures reflecting variations of a pedestrian bridge under review that is included in the scope of work.
The Morganti Group Inc.
Base: $30.85 million
Variation A: $175,000
Variation B: ($175,000)
Variation C: ($350,000)
Barton Malow Co.
Base: $31.95 million
Variation A: ($128,000)
Variation B: ($179,000)
Variation C: $20,000
Elkins Constructors Inc.
Base: $32.66 million
Variation A: ($250,000)
Variation B: ($75,000)
Variation C: ($10,000)
Sauer Inc.
Base: $33.85 million
Variation A: ($421,000)
Variation B: $258,000
Variation C: $23,000