Case Study: Comparison between Atkins, Hiawatha and Solon Fire Stations
Case Study Summary
Two of the fire stations used Design/Bid/Build construction approach. The other used Construction Management at Risk. The three fire stations were designed by the same architect. The construction of each fires station is similar. The two that used Design/Bid/Build were most more cost-effective of contracting public work.
Atkins Fire Station
In October of 2024, the City of Atkins requested bids for their new fire station. The overall building is 14,000 sqft. There is a portion of the building consisting of 4.200 sqft of offices, restrooms, kitchen, and training. There is a 2,400 sqft mezzanine. The remain portion of the building consists of a 7,400 sqft apparatus bay. Within the office area, there is a reinforced concreate storm shelter. The building is a pre-engineered metal building with a combination of metal siding and masonry exterior. The City of Atkins utilized Design/Bid/Build to receive 11 bids from general contractors for the complete project. The bids ranged from $3.3 million to $4.1 million. The general contractors were able to solicit many sub-bids for each portion of the project. The low bid was $1.1 million under budget. The final cost was $3,376,000 w/ alternatives.
Solon Fire Station
In May of 2021, the City of Solon requested bids for their new fire station. The overall building is 17,210 sqft. There is a portion of the building consisting of 6,800 sqft of office, dorm, restrooms, and training area. The remaining portion of the building consists of a 10,0000 sqft apparatus bay. The building is a combination of pre-engineered metal building and conventional wood framed with a combination of metal siding and masonry exterior. The City of Solon utilized design/bid/build to receive 9 bids from general contractors for the complete project. The bids ranged for $3.2 million to $3.9 million plus alternates. The general contractors were able to solicit many sub-bids for each portion of the project. The final cost was $3,624,000 w/ alternatives.
Hiawatha Fire Station
In November of 2022, the City of Hiawatha issued a request for qualifications for construction manager at risk services for the construction of their new fire station. The City of Hiawatha received 9 statements of qualifications. They reviewed and scored the proposals and selected to interview the top 3 CM’s. The city then revied and scored the interview and chose a CM at Risk. The overall building is 14,785 sqft. There is a portion of the building consisting of 8,4000 sqft of office, dorm and restrooms and training area. The remaining portion of the building consists of a 6,385 sqft apparatus bay. The building is a combination of pre-engineered metal building and conventional wood framing with a combination of metal siding and masonry exterior. In July of 2023, the City of Hiawatha receive one bid from the CM at Risk in the amount of $6,0015,466. The city did not receive many sub-bids for the packages. The CM at Risk was the only bidder on the three packages the CM at risk is self-performing. The final construction cost was $5,709,404.77 after contingences were returned without documentation.
| Atkins Fire Station | Solon Fire Station | Hiawatha Fire Station | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Construction Delivery System |
Design/Bid/Build |
Design/Bid/Build |
Construction Management at Risk |
|
Total Sq Ft |
14,000 sqft |
17,210 sqft |
14,785 |
|
Total Cost |
$3,376,000 w/alt |
$3,624,000 w/alt |
$5,709,404 w/alt |
|
Cost per SqFt |
$241 per sqft |
$211 per sqft |
$386 per sqft |
|
Bids |
Many sub-bids received |
Many sub-bids received |
Few sub-bids received |
Conclusion
The taxpayers of Iowa saved well over $1,000,000 on each Design/Bid/Build project.
Design/Bid/Build requires contractors to compete not only against the project budget but also each other. Construction management at risk only requires the contractor to complete against the budget. Design/Bid/Build solicits many more sub bids because the contractors need to complete against each other as well as the budget.
