Commission approves $532,000 contract for EOC/9-1-1 design; construction timeline estimated 18to24 months

Camden County commissioners approved an award of $532,000 to McCall Architecture for design and engineering services for a new combined Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and 9-1-1 facility.

County staff told the commission the project will be funded from SPLOST 8 and is sited on 5.4 acres designated for a resiliency operations center; the design will follow FEMA best-practice standards and is intended to produce a self-contained 24/7 facility capable of withstanding severe weather. "The project will provide for a robust facility built to FEMA's best practices and standards," the presenter said.

Staff described the county's existing EOC/9-1-1 spaces as aged and not purpose-built, creating urgency for a modern facility. Commissioners asked about scheduling and construction timing; staff and the presenter estimated design would take several months and that the full project from notice to proceed through construction completion is "probably 18 months to 24 months," with the design phase taking roughly four to five months.

Bids were evaluated by staff; McCall Architecture was identified as the lowest conforming, best-scoring firm and staff recommended approval. After a motion and a second, the commission approved the contract award. No change orders or construction bid amounts were presented at the meeting; staff said those milestones and any construction-phase contracts will come back to the board for approval as required.

With the award approved, staff said they will begin the design phase and return to the commission with design deliverables and subsequent procurement items for construction.