Operational Control for
the Construction Industry

Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Administration Hospital, Hines, Illinois
Building 37 Consolidated Mail Order Pharmacy Renovation

Project Size and Scope: This $6.5 million, 70,000 square foot project comprised a major, multi-phased renovation of the office and warehouse facilities of a regional 24/7 pharmaceutical distribution center for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Project scope included all labor, materials, supervision, coordination and environmental protection to provide an entirely new floor plan for relocation of existing, in-use pharmacy spaces. This required demolition of existing MEP infrastructure, and installation of completely new plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electrical systems. Work included new diesel electric generators, three rooftop HVAC units, new sanitary system pumps and utility connections, new offices, conference rooms, cafeteria, locker and storage facilities. Final interior finishes were installed by Opcon and coordinated with office furniture and cubicles that were supplied and installed by the owner.

Opcon’s Role: As General Contractor (Prime), Opcon provided all construction budget, schedule, phasing and coordination services, and self-performed installation of doors, frames, and special accessories.

Primary Challenges:  Three major challenges were encountered:

1. This project required that demolition and construction be performed while existing, occupied spaces were in use. The work was divided into multiple phases, each of which required substantial completion before beginning a subsequent phase. The CMOP 24/7 work schedule allowed only limited access and time to assure internal security, protect adjacent areas, and perform construction.
2. Existing building conditions did not always match architectural drawings due to owner-deferred projects, revised personnel relocation sequencing, or demolition discovery. This resulted in numerous project phasing revisions and scope adjustments.
3. Disconnecting and bringing online entirely new plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems without a significant disruption of the client’s operations required precise coordination between the utilities and the installing trades. Each of these situations was addressed through daily communication and planning between the client, superintendent and project manager.

Successful Outcomes: Opcon delivered the project within the original schedule (nearly four months ahead of the revised schedule) and approximately four percent below the original budget. This included consideration of 19 owner-generated changes in project scope based on 53 Requests for Information.

Testimonials:

“Clay: I really appreciate the level of professionalism your crew displays on a daily basis. Steve Carlson is an AWESOME superintendent and really knows how to keep a project on schedule, no matter what obstacles are impressed upon him. I get nothing but praise from our personnel about him and the work he is leading his crew to complete. One example that sticks out in my mind is not from our staff, it was from the controls contractor. He said “working with OPCON is a night and day difference than working with other firms; no matter what date I give them for a deadline, IT IS ALWAYS MET, and NO MATTER WHAT I ASK THEM FOR, IT IS ALWAYS READY FOR ME.  Well done.”  Mike Rosso is an incredible project management asset; the pair of them seems to really gel. I enjoy working with both of them and am positive their success and efficient work in my building is a direct result of their great working relationship. Thank you again. Great job.”

Opcon client and subcontractor regarding a hospital facility renovation

“In eight years of managing construction projects at this agency, I have not worked with a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business that was more prepared than Opcon. Their preparation day-to-day on the job site and during bi-weekly project status meetings is outstanding. I have rated Opcon performance as ‘Superior’ in seven categories, the most important of which is ‘in satisfying the requirements of the customer’.”

Opcon client Past Performance Evaluation regarding a hospital facility renovation

Photo: www.dieteticinternship.va.gov

Iron Mountain, Michigan
Outpatient Clinic Entrance Expansion and Remodeling
Project Size and Scope: A $499,995 reconstruction of the main entrance to the Outpatient Clinic featured an expanded patient reception and processing space with indoor wheel-chair storage and accessibility improvements that blended with the design of the existing hospital building. The scope required new foundations, heated driveway paving (connected to an existing hot water heating source), sidewalks that were compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, roof, entry doors, lighting, interior finishes, stainless steel bollards, and precast concrete and masonry to match existing. The project was a Task Order issued under an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Job Order Contract that began in January 2012 with 44 projects awarded to Opcon at a total contract value of $4,704,234.

Opcon’s Role: General Contractor

Primary Challenges:  As a 24/7 facility, it was critical that the Veterans Administration Medical Center (VMAC) create an adjacent, temporary entrance before demolishing the existing entry and paving it to prepare for the expanded design. The project required “tenting” so that a heated construction enclosure that would facilitate ongoing work during extreme winter weather, and allowed for proper concrete curing.

Successful Outcomes: Opcon coordinated client occupancy and patient accessibility on a continuing basis to assure the provision of uninterrupted patient service. The work was performed without schedule disruption in an occupied patient environment as a result of close collaboration and responsive problem solving by Opcon’s on-site superintendent. Opcon has been successful at developing close working relationships with numerous local subcontractors and laborers, which proved invaluable in assuring proper quality control, site safety and timely completion of 44 projects at this facility. Based on our successful performance under this contract, Opcon was awarded a new sole source contract in the amount of $650,000 for additional work at Johnson VAMC.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Building 6 Historic Landmark Roof Replacement and Shell Restoration

Project Size and Scope: Both projects had a contract value of $3.2 million. Scope included replacement of deteriorated slate shingles, copper gutters and downspouts, terne metal and 4-ply roof materials; tuckpointing of weathered masonry to match original color and mortar striking; restoration of original windows, balconies, porches and railings; environmental protection and remediation; and coordination of work within occupied spaces.

Opcon’s Role: General Contractor (Prime); self-performing historic landmark window restoration

Primary Challenges: Key to project success were: reconciling the historic restoration design scope and material selection with the client’s budget constraints; coordinating client relocations and protection of occupied spaces with a labor-intensive restoration process and schedule; managing environmental testing, abatement or remediation within environmental regulations and the restoration standards of the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office.

Successful Outcomes: Opcon utilized its proprietary custom window restoration program developed by Opcon carpenters at a historic structure at Veterans Administration Northern Indiana Health Care. A client relocation strategy was developed that facilitated window removal in small groups. This enabled a specific solution for each window, depending on its condition. Any asbestos-containing glazing putty was removed. Lead paint was encapsulated with primer and two coats of new paint; sashes required partial reconstruction with new components. Glazing was replaced as required. By refinishing jambs and trim in place, and custom fabricating/finishing stops and window components in our shop, Opcon minimized project costs, client disruption, and site contamination risk. SHPO requirements for historic restoration were met.

Opcon advised the client and the architect regarding: cost and availability alternatives for pre-patinated copper gutters and downspouts, asphalt shingle substitutes for slate shingles, and mortar colors and masonry sealants that would be appropriate for this application. Each of our recommended solutions was accepted by the client, the architect and SHPO, achieving an optimal balance for cost, quality and appearance in a historic building.

Testimonial:

“Andrew Thompson and the entire OPCON team were very professional, hardworking and open to working together as a team to resolve conflicts in the documents. I would highly recommend OPCON to anyone looking for a building partner. I was especially impressed with the quality of the restoration work – in particular the wood windows and doors, which I use as a model and consider our standard for excellence on preservation projects.”

Michael W. Halstead, President, HALSTEAD architects
Opcon and Halstead Architects collaborated on the Veterans Administration Northern Indiana Health Care System Historic Landmark Window Restoration, in Marion, Indiana.

Photo: www.theinlinegroup.com

Federal Aviation Administration, Aurora, IL
Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center
Design/Build Parking Lot Reconstruction and
New Employee Parking Lot

Project Size and Scope: The $481,690 design/build reconstruction contract was for a carefully phased removal and replacement of a parking lot at Chicago Center (ZAU). Project scope included excavation, lighting, utilities relocations, environmental testing/remediation/soil disposal, concrete paving and landscaping.

Opcon’s Role: General Contractor (Prime)/Construction Manager, coordinating utility companies, subcontractors and the client

Primary Challenges: Avoiding disruption of underground utility services at one of the busiest air traffic control centers in the world was critical. The project required locating, and relocating as required, all telephone, electric, gas and storm sewer lines that would be affected by the parking lot reconstruction. In addition, the significant amount of contaminated soil displacement required an environmentally acceptable disposal strategy.

Successful Outcomes: Opcon utilized hydro excavation techniques to locate marked utility locations (which were not available on as-built drawings), and coordinated surface construction with the various utility crews below grade to provide temporary service connections while relocating lines that conflicted with the new work. This required meticulous safety program procedures for shoring and protection of both construction and FAA personnel who were on-site 24/7. The cost of the required removal of a large volume of contaminated soil and transporting it to a landfill would have caused a substantial additive Change Order to the project. However, Opcon was able to gain approval for disposal on-site by creating landscaped berms around the parking areas that could accommodate all spoils.

In addition to this design/build reconstruction project, Opcon completed a new employee parking lot valued at $1,117,362 at the same FAA facility. For the new parking lot project, Opcon was able to generate another environmentally responsible client savings by grinding existing asphalt pavement, and recycling it as sub-base material for the new concrete paving. The new parking lot was completed 30 days ahead of schedule.

Testimonial:

“Clay Graham is one of the guys who I respect the most in this industry. Clay’s Opcon team is a direct reflection of his integrity and dedication to the highest standards of performance. Opcon’s safety program for the FAA parking projects was in place and enforced from day one. Opcon resolved potentially expensive environmental issues in a cost-effective, sustainable manner, and their communication with the design team was exemplary. I would be very pleased to work with Opcon again on any construction project where safety and environmental issues are as important as the budget and schedule. They cover all the bases.”

Paul Jenkins, President and CEO, Bancroft Architects + Engineers

Photo: www.dailyherald.com

Chicago, IL
328 South Jefferson Avenue
Multi-tenant Office Construction

Project Size and Scope: approximately 70,000 square feet of multi-tenant space in a concrete-framed loft office conversion

Developer/Owner and Construction Manager: Blue Star Properties

Opcon’s Role: carpentry subcontractor for installation of rough framing, doors, hardware, trim, millwork, glazing, acoustical ceilings, drywall and polygal panels

Primary Challenges: The project was on a fast track with highly creative architectural designs that featured unusual floor plans, complex framing and detailing, and specialty materials for very demanding tenants. High quality materials included full height Herculite glazing and doors, reclaimed oak finishes and polygal partitions (for translucent visual privacy, light sharing and sound attenuation). Design included exposed ductwork, custom cabinetry and lighting, and non-rectilinear layouts, requiring precision and attention to detail to achieve the desired tenant image.

Successful Outcomes: Opcon’s highly skilled carpenters were able to provide the high standards of craftsmanship, timeliness and communication that were necessary to meet the challenges of these unique projects. All occupancy dates were achieved without disruption of other tenants and in compliance with Owner objectives for quality and cost.