State Construction Office Purpose

The purpose of the State Construction Office is to provide professional architectural and engineering services and management leadership to state agencies. This office carries out its responsibility by (1) processing cost estimates and contracts relating to construction or renovation of state buildings; (2) review and approval of all plans and specifications for the construction or renovation of state buildings; (3) supervision of the letting of all contracts for the design, construction or renovation of state buildings; (4) inspection and acceptance of all work done and materials used in the construction or renovation of state buildings; (5) conducting assessments of state facilities to identify deficiencies and (6) providing administrative and technical support to the State Building Commission. These services protect the interest of the state and assure the proper expenditure of public funds for the citizens of North Carolina. This provides for efficiency in the expenditure of state funds in its capital improvement program.

PRIMARY STATUTORY AUTHORITY

G.S. 143-31.1, Executive Budget Act

G.S. 143-341, Department of Administration Act

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES/SERVICES/PROGRAMS/OPERATIONS

A. Budget and Appropriation: The State Construction Office prepares cost estimates for all proposed capital improvement projects. Project scope (size of facility and basic program requirements) is developed by the institution/agency. Funding is normally provided on the basis of the State Construction cost estimate.

B. Designer Selection: The State Construction Office oversees the designer selection process in accordance with procedures of the State Building Commission. The State Construction Office serves as staff to the Commission, advertises the need for design services, arranges for designer interviews and participates in the pre-selection process leading to selection of the project designer.

C. Design Contracts: The State Construction Office negotiates the design fees, establishes the scope of work, design schedule and construction budget leading to the preparation and approval of all design contracts.

D. Review and Approval: The State Construction Office reviews and approves plans and specifications for all capital projects (including Community College projects) at three stages of design. Purpose of the review process is to ensure compliance with the intent of the appropriation and that projects have been designed giving proper consideration to economy in first cost, in maintenance cost, and in materials and type of construction. The State Construction Office must ensure adequacy of plans and specifications for public bidding and compliance with the public bid laws.

E. Contract Award: The State Construction Office oversees the compliance of public bidding statutes (G.S. 143-129) and reviews and authorizes the award of all construction contracts. Contract documents are reviewed and approved by the State Construction Office. In 1994, the State Construction Office approved 341 construction contracts totaling $480,900,951.

F. Construction Phase: The State Construction Office monitors the construction of capital projects, approves all change orders, resolves disputes and claims, and conducts final inspections of the completed projects. No work may be accepted by the State or by any State agency until it has been approved by the State Construction Office.

G. Consulting Services: The State Construction Office provides technical assistance and design services to state agencies and institutions upon request. The State asbestos control program is administered by this office.

1.Facility Condition Assessment: The State Construction Office is responsible for assessment of all state-owned buildings over 3000 square feet to identify deficiencies and prepare reports on those deficiencies and cost estimates for corrections. These reports become the basis for future repair and renovation requests.

2. The State Building Commission is a statutory body, empowered by G.S. 143-135.25 & 26 to develop procedures to direct and guide the State's capital facilities development and management program. The State Construction Office of the Department of Administration provides staff to the State Building Commission. The Commission consists of nine qualified members. Three are appointed by the Governor, three by the President Pro Tempore and three by the Speaker of the House. The members are appointed for staggered three-year terms. The duties of the Commission include establishing standard procedures for designer selection, coordination of plan review and approval, post occupancy evaluation, designer and contractor evaluation and is responsible to study and recommend ways to improve effectiveness and efficiency of the state’s capital facilities management program.

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