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Court approves $5.3 million guaranteed-maximum price for new EMS training and admin building
Summary
Karnes County accepted a guaranteed maximum price from Weaver & Jacobs for a turnkey EMS training and administration building with a proposed GMP of $5,299,374; commissioners discussed allowances, alternates and a construction schedule before approving the contract 4–1.
The Karnes County Commissioners Court approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) proposal from Weaver & Jacobs for a new EMS training and administration building, voting 4–1 to move forward with the turnkey construction contract.
Project staff told the court that subcontractor base bids totaled $3,982,471 and that contingency allowances—including owner and construction contingency, furnishing/fixtures, landscaping, HVAC commissioning and material testing—totaled $598,968. Indirect costs (insurance and bonds) were listed as $476,457 and the construction manager fee (4.65%) would add $235,192, producing an original GMP figure of $5,320,588. After accepting two cost-saving alternates (PEX piping and an alternate sheeting system) and declining certain alternates (acoustic partition and generator), staff presented a revised proposed GMP of $5,299,374 as a not-to-exceed turnkey price covering the building, parking, striping, gates and generator.
"The GMP is a turnkey project; the only remaining owner responsibilities are limited items such as demolition of on-site connex boxes and an accessibility inspection after construction," the project manager said in presenting the proposal. He explained the AIA contract will define a 12‑month construction schedule from notice to proceed to substantial completion and occupancy.
Commissioners asked for clarifications about allowances, alternates and the role of the county architect. One commissioner flagged the need for a construction attorney to review large building contracts; another asked about the inclusion of a generator and full electrical backup. Judge (chair) participants thanked project staff for the work leading to the bid tabulation. Commissioner Lisi was recorded as opposed to approving the GMP; the court noted a final vote of 4–1 in favor.
Next steps include county attorney review of contract documents, authorization for the judge to negotiate and sign the AIA agreement if acceptable, and—if approved—issuance of a notice to proceed with a 30‑day period to commence work.
