NCJ Number
64157
Date Published
1978
Length
17 pages
Annotation
THIS REVIEW OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS FOR THE NEW FEDERAL BUILDING IN WILLIAMSPORT, PA., CONCLUDES THAT ALTHOUGH THE TOTAL COST WAS LOWER THAN THE BUDGETED AMOUNT, SOME COSTS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.
Abstract
THE BUILDING PROJECT, INITIATED IN 1968, WAS MANAGED BY THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (GSA). THIS REVIEW WAS CONDUCTED BY THE GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE (GAO) AT THE REQUEST OF A CONGRESSMAN WHO EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT COST OVERRUNS DUE TO DESIGN ERRORS, SPECIFIC FACILITY PARTS, AND GSA PROCEDURES FOR SELECTING ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING FIRMS. GAO REVIEWED THE PROJECT'S BACKGROUND, CONTRACT PROCEDURES AND COSTS, PROCEDURES FOR SELECTING DESIGN FIRMS, AND VARIOUS STRUCTURED FEATURES. RESULTS INDICATED THAT A $114,000 COST INCREASE RESULTED FROM GSA CONTRACTING OFFICIALS' FAILURE TO NOTIFY THE DESIGNER OF THE REQUIRED COURTROOM CEILING HEIGHT. THE CEILING, THEREFORE, HAD TO BE REDESIGNED AFTER CONSTRUCTION WAS UNDERWAY. IN ADDITION, STRUCTURAL STEEL BEAMS DEFLECTED DURING CONSTRUCTION. GSA HAS NOT YET DETERMINED WHETHER THE DESIGNER WAS PROFESSIONALLY NEGLIGENT. UNDER REVISED PROCEDURES, AN EVALUATION PANEL WILL RANK QUALIFIED FIRMS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATOR, WHO WILL MAKE THE FINAL SELECTION. FINALLY, THE PARKING LOT CANOPY WAS ADDED ONLY AFTER THE CONSTRUCTION BID WAS FOUND TO BE BELOW THE BUDGET. GSA COMMENTS CONCUR WITH THESE FINDINGS. TABLES ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)