New United States Courthouse, Chattanooga- Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc)
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The General Services Administration (GSA) is seeking a Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc) for the New United States Courthouse in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This presolicitation initiates an advisory multi-step procurement process for a project valued between $172M - $182M. The CMc will provide design input, constructability review, and ultimately construct the 190,701 GSF courthouse under a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) option. Step 1 submissions are due May 9, 2025, 2 PM Eastern.
Project Overview & Scope
GSA intends to design and construct a new, freestanding courthouse in Chattanooga, TN, utilizing the CMc delivery method. The facility will include seven courtrooms, nine chambers, and 40 secure parking spaces, designed to meet 10-year needs (2031) with provisions for 30-year expansion (2051). This includes additional office and support space for the District Clerk, U.S. Probation Office, and Bankruptcy Clerk.
The CMc's role encompasses:
- Design Phase Services: Providing cost and constructability input, participating in design reviews, conducting constructability reviews, leading cost estimating and reconciliation, developing preliminary schedules, managing risk, and utilizing GSA's Project Management Information System (PMIS) - Kahua.
- Construction Phase Services (GMP Option): Obtaining permits, managing schedules (CPM), cost control, change management, quality assurance/control, inspections, BIM/CDX/COBie compliance, commissioning, and project closeout.
The project is currently in the site selection phase, with acquisition expected by Q3 CY2025. GSA has already contracted a Construction Manager as Advisor (CMa) and is procuring a Lead Design Architect.
Contract Details & Set-Aside
- Contract Type: Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc) with a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) option.
- Estimated Magnitude: $172M - $182M.
- Set-Aside: None.
- NAICS Code: 236220 - Commercial and Institutional Building Construction.
- Product Service Code: C1AA - CONSTRUCTION OF OFFICE BUILDINGS.
Procurement & Evaluation
This is a presolicitation following an advisory multi-step process (FAR 15.202). Participation in Step 1 is mandatory to be considered for Step 2.
Step 1 Submission Requirements (Due May 9, 2025, 2 PM Eastern):
- Go/NoGo Screening Criteria:
- Bonding Capacity exceeding $200M (letter required).
- CAS Compliance (letter from CPA/CFO required).
- Technical Factors (for firms passing Go/NoGo):
- Prior Experience & Past Performance: 3-5 similar projects (max 2 pages each) completed within the last 10 years, exceeding $75M and 100K GSF, including security features, GMP, CMc/integrated delivery, and LEED/SITES accreditation.
- Firm's Approach: Max 2-page narrative on CMc approach.
- Experience Modification Rate (EMR) Rating: Letter from insurance provider.
Technical factors will be evaluated on a Confidence-based Rating Scale (High, Some, Low). Only the most highly rated offers will be invited to Step 2.
Key Dates & Information
- Virtual Conference: April 10, 2025, 2 PM Eastern (Registration required by April 8, 2025, 2 PM Eastern).
- Questions Cutoff: April 17, 2025, 2 PM Eastern.
- Step 1 Submission Due: May 9, 2025, 2 PM Eastern.
- Anticipated Step 2 Milestones: RFP issued late May 2025, Pre-proposal conference early June 2025, RFP due late July 2025, Oral presentations late July 2025, Estimated award October 2025.
- GSA is pursuing a waiver for a Project Labor Agreement; a decision is expected before Step 2 RFP release.
Attachments
Draft Agreement, Draft SOW, Draft Program of Requirements (POR), and a PBS Core Building Standards Memo are provided for reference.