Carl B. Stokes U.S. Courthouse Plaza Replacement Design Build Services

The General Services Administration (GSA) intends to award a Design-Build (DB) contract for improvements necessary to repair the twenty-one story Carl B. Stokes U.S Courthouse (“Stokes”) Plaza, located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, originally completed in 2002. The building’s plaza has since suffered from water infiltration damage and a lack of pedestrian access. The water infiltration in the plaza has also triggered water leaks/infiltration into lower levels of the building.

The project includes design and construction services for the replacement of the failing waterproofing system, refinishing and reinforcement of structural steel that supports the plaza, repairs to fireproofing, and fulfillment of an unconstructed plaza area originally intended for the site. The surface parking lots and retaining wall will be upgraded. The new construction will provide vital pedestrian access from the primary gateway from west-side neighborhoods (Detroit-Superior bridge) and mixed-use warehouse district to the North. The new construction will reconcile pedestrian accessibility with adjacent surface parking. Completing the plaza provides the opportunity to introduce renewable energy sources and a water reclamation system on the site. It will also harness wind-opportunities unique to the site and alleviate pressure on the city stormwater system by capturing rainwater in void space below the plaza.

Award is anticipated in September of 2025 with substantial completion anticipated in spring 2029. The estimated cost range is between $35,000,000 and $45,000,000 therefore a Project Labor Agreement is required; for more information on PLAs please see the FAQ link provided in this announcement. A $69,000 stipend will be distributed to the maximum of 2 unsuccessful short-listed offerors in Phase 2 that satisfy the terms of the Request For Proposal. 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. The Request for Proposal is planned to be issued in September 2024.

In addition to the construction opportunity reflected herein, GSA is seeking suppliers and manufacturers that are interested in supplying low embodied carbon asphalt, concrete (and cement), glass and steel materials for the project. Suppliers and manufacturers of materials meeting GSA’s Inflation Reduction Act Low Embodied Carbon asphalt, concrete (and cement), glass and steel requirements may submit an Expression of Interest to the contact below no later than September 10, 2024.

Expressions of Interest should indicate materials available and global warming potential values reflected in materials’ environmental product declarations. Submission of an expression of interest grants GSA your permission to publish your firm’s contact information and offerings for use by potential offerors on GSA construction requirements. Supplier and manufacturer contact information will be published in an informational amendment issued by GSA and, potentially, in other fora.

By participating in the competition, offerors consent to unrestricted GSA use of supplier names and the GWP values associated with supplier materials. Such information may be disclosed publicly or used to inform other low embodied carbon procurement activities. Technical solutions, supplier pricing, and supplier-offeror terms and conditions will not be shared. Any objection shall be transmitted to the Contracting Officer by the due date for offers and shall adhere to 41 C.F.R. § 105-60.601.

Market research resources for identifying qualifying materials may include, but are not limited to, ASTM International’s EPD Page, Building Transparency’s Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3), ICC Evaluation Service’s EPD Directory, EPD International AB’s EPD Library, the National Asphalt Paving Association’s Emerald Eco-Label EPD Tool, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s Concrete EPDs page, NSF's Search for EPDs tool, and UL’s SPOT product catalog.

Note: The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and does not indicate or imply Federal endorsement of any organization, business, material or product. The Government makes no representation or warranty concerning the quality, performance, availability or suitability of any organization, business, material or product.