Commission approves $120,000 preconstruction contract with GE Johnson for county Justice Center CMAR

The Teton County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 18 to approve a $120,000 preconstruction contract with GE Johnson Construction for construction‑manager‑at‑risk (CMAR) services on the county’s Justice Center project.

Under the agreement approved by the board, GE Johnson will provide preconstruction services for $120,000; the contract contains an option to add $25,000 if the county elects to pursue LEED or similar design leadership efforts. After design is further developed, GE Johnson will deliver a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the construction work; the board will have the opportunity to accept or reject that GMP when it is submitted.

Deputy County Attorney Keith (last name on the record) reviewed the contract form and explained the AIA A133 contract structure used for CMAR work: the county is approving preconstruction services today, while the GMP and exhibits documenting the construction price will come later for board consideration. "Once the GMP is agreed upon ... documented increases due to tariffs or inflation can be handled through contingency or owner responsibility depending on circumstances," the deputy attorney said, summarizing how cost increases are allocated under the standard contract form.

Commissioner Carleman noted the Justice Center is the county’s largest public‑works project and asked for clarification on the scope: staff explained the $75–80 million range cited in one attachment represented the anticipated construction contract amount; other costs (soft costs, FF&E, owner’s rep) bring the total project budget to approximately $118 million. Commissioners also discussed invoice tracking and oversight. County finance staff and the owner’s representative will track project invoices using owner’s software; County Clerk Maureen Murphy has set up a project finance committee to review invoices during construction.

Motion and vote: a motion to approve the preconstruction contract with GE Johnson Construction for $120,000 (plus the $25,000 LEED option if elected later) passed unanimously. The contract authorizes the preconstruction work only; the CMAR will return with the GMP for the board’s future approval.

Ending: The board’s vote moves the Justice Center into the preconstruction phase with a CMAR partner in place; the GMP and construction‑phase budget will return to the commission for action when submitted.