Council selects Sampson Construction as construction manager at risk for City Hall renovation

The Laramie City Council approved documents to engage Sampson Construction Company, Inc., as construction manager at risk for the City Hall campus renovation project during its April 1 meeting.

Assistant City Manager described the project as a remodel with extensive phasing and unknowns that favor a construction-manager-at-risk delivery. "This project really lends itself very well to that, to have that professional expertise when you're doing that so that we can actually evaluate and make decisions on the fly," the assistant city manager said, adding that the building dates to the early 1930s and hidden conditions are likely.

Council members asked about safeguards against cost-cutting on required specifications. Staff responded that product specifications are required by contract and cannot be arbitrarily reduced by the construction manager. Colin Bailey, Sampson Construction's project manager, was introduced; staff noted that project leadership lives locally and the firm has experience on comparable projects.

The contract package approved includes AIA standard agreements and exhibits for insurance and bonds; the procurement followed a request-for-qualifications process that produced four submissions and resulted in Sampson's selection. The resolution passed on a 9–0 roll call; staff said the construction manager will provide preconstruction services and a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) amendment to council for approval before final construction budgeting.