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The General Services Administration (GSA) Design Excellence Program seeks to commission architects, engineers, and construction professionals to maintain and modernize our legacy federal buildings for the next 50 to 100 years of service. These projects will demonstrate the value of integrated design that balances historic significance with current needs; balances aesthetics, cost, constructability, and reliability; and creates environmentally responsible and superior workplaces for civilian federal employees.

In this context, GSA announces an opportunity for Design and Construction Excellence in public architecture for performance of Architectural Engineering Design and Construction services in accordance with GSA quality standards and requirements. As required by law, regulation or Executive Order, all facilities will meet performance targets and security requirements.

The anticipated project is a new Land Port of Entry (LPOE) within the Grand Portage Indian Reservation about five miles northeast of Grand Portage, Minnesota. The proposed site is adjacent to an existing LPOE of approximately 8.1 acres. The port serves passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and pedestrians crossing between the United States and Neebing, Ontario, Canada. The redesign and modernization of the port, which is the second largest in Minnesota, will provide better support for its national security and international commerce functions. Additional lanes and a wider commercial truck lane will shorten vehicle processing times for tourists and residents accessing local community businesses. The intended delivery method is Design Build (DB).

The existing facility was constructed in 1965, and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. The site is within State Highway 61 and spans the full width of the highway permanent easement. The highway easement is maintained and controlled by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), but is wholly within the Grand Portage Reservation, and both GSA and MnDOT will coordinate with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa throughout the course of the project. The 30,000 to 33,100 gross square foot requirement includes space for Customs and Border Protection to more effectively and safely process the incoming and outgoing traffic across the border.

The DB scope of work includes all labor and materials required to provide design and construction services for the Grand Portage LPOE project pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Two-Phase Design-Build Selection Procedures and incorporating Art in Architecture Program, and Design - Construction - Operational Excellence policies and procedures. The design for the project will conform to the Federal Building Design Standards, 2021 Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service P-100, and other building codes and standards as applicable to this project. The facility will be designed to be net-zero carbon ready and achieve LEED Gold standards. The resultant contract will be a firm fixed price.

Design services, which will be accomplished through the contract, will be necessary to meet the functional requirements of prospective tenants, fulfill policy and regulatory criteria, and provide state of the art workplaces that help define interior design standards for the building. Designed solutions shall be consistent with the latest objectives of GSA, prospective tenants, and best practices in architectural planning and design.

The services requested of the DB shall cover a wide range of design and construction activities including all management, supervision, labor, equipment, and materials required to provide architectural, engineering, construction, and other related services necessary to design and construct the new facilities. Related services include, but are not limited to, site planning, utility relocation (as needed), testing and inspection during construction, commissioning, and potential additional analysis of the site.

The project is funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Award is anticipated in the second quarter of 2025 with substantial completion anticipated in spring 2029. The estimated cost range is between $65,000,000 and $75,000,000. This is a negotiated, best value procurement. The proposed contract is being solicited as full and open competition.

This project has been identified as a Mega Construction Project. The Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) Mega Construction Project (Megaproject) Program fosters equal opportunity in the construction trades workforce of federal contractors and subcontractors on large federal construction projects. When OFCCP designates a construction project as a Megaproject, OFCCP offers contractors and subcontractors extensive compliance assistance, conducts compliance evaluations, and fosters collaboration across the public and private sectors. From the earliest stages of a designated Megaproject, OFCCP engages a wide range of stakeholders in the community to remove hiring barriers and promote consideration of a diverse pool of qualified workers for jobs in the trades. As part of this effort, the contractor will be required to participate in the Mega Construction Project Program and comply with the requirements enforced by OFCCP.

Any questions regarding this notification should be directed to the Contracting Officer whose name appears herein. Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading the solicitation and monitoring the website for amendments, if any, to the solicitation.

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