Government & Politics  October 17, 2014

Brinkman wins fire department deal

Poudre Fire eyes new station, other projects

FORT COLLINS — Brinkman Construction Inc. of Fort Collins has won a contract to handle construction projects for the Poudre Fire Authority for the next year that likely will include a $3.5 million fire station to be built in Timnath.

Brinkman Construction, a division of Brinkman Partners, beat out 12 other companies that responded to a request for proposal issued by the city of Fort Collins on behalf of the fire authority.

In addition to the station in Timnath, the fire authority is planning on building another station in the northeast part of the city in the future, said Gary Nuckols, PFA’s battalion chief. He said the authority has set aside $1.3 million for that station, which would be called 15.

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The service agreement has no preset dollar amount. It includes work on facility-related projects from minor repairs and renovations to new station construction on an as needed basis.

Brinkman is required to work closely with the fire authority, its chosen architect/engineer Belford Watkins Group LLC of Fort Collins and the city’s operations division on these projects from design to completion.

Nuckols said the service agreement gives the fire authority tight control over construction costs. It spells out how much Brinkman can markup material costs, defines profit margins and spells out hourly rates for people and equipment that would be used on any given project, including subcontractors.

The contract also requires Brinkman to provide performance bonds on projects of more than $100,000.

“This way is very cost-effective and a good way to conduct bigger projects,” Nuckols said.

The contract sets profit margins, and markups on subcontractors, materials and equipment at 5.5 percent for up to $1 million, and 4.5 percent for more than $1 million. Hourly rate limits for workers range from $35 an hour for laborers up to $85 an hour for construction managers.

John Stephens, a senior buyer with the city of Fort Collins who processed the RFP for the fire authority, said using a service agreement instead of bidding out each job saves “a tremendous amount of time and money.” He said the city uses service agreements with private contractors frequently. He said the city has been processing service agreements for the fire authority for a number of years. Previous contractors who won bids in the past include Stinnett Construction, Drahota Construction Co., Heath Construction LLC and Dohn Construction Inc.

Stephens said while controlling cost is a key factor, equally important is having familiarity with a contractor and building a partnership.

“Because we don’t know what projects may come along in the future, we need to have a good relationship with a qualified firm,” Stephens said. Nuckhols said the upside to the service agreement is the ability to build a team.

“It’s important for a contractor and its subs to be able to work around the needs of the fire authority’s emergency response teams that are working 24/7 and can’t be delayed.”

Jim Ciesla, president of Brinkman Construction, a division of Brinkman Partners, said the firm’s relationship with the fire authority is important.

“The work that they do and their dedication to our community inspires all of us at Brinkman,” he said. “We are committed to supporting their operations in whatever way we can.”

The fire authority has 13 fire stations that cover a service area of 235 square miles including the city of Fort Collins, the town of Timnath east of the city, and the communities of LaPorte and Bellvue plus surrounding areas.

Nuckols said what passes for Station 8 in Timnath, a small building manned by volunteers, will be upgraded to a full size fire station with living quarters, a kitchen and several bays.

“We are ready to go on this project,” Nuckols said. “We are waiting for infrastructure to be completed, including turning a dirt path leading to the station into a road.”

The fire authority also wants to remodel Station 7 in LaPorte, and replace a hail-damaged roof on Station 5 at Hogan Drive in the southern portion of Fort Collins.

The fire authority’s 2015 projected budget is $29.4 million, Nuckols said. Approximately 80 percent comes from the city of Fort Collins, and the rest comes from the Poudre Valley Fire Protection District.

Nuckols said the fire authority’s 2015 facilities budget for utilities and repairs/maintenance includes $304,044 for operations and maintenance, and $164,238 for capital expenditures.

Doug Storum can be reached at 303-630-1959, 970-416-7369 or dstorum
@bizwestmedia.com.

Poudre Fire eyes new station, other projects

FORT COLLINS — Brinkman Construction Inc. of Fort Collins has won a contract to handle construction projects for the Poudre Fire Authority for the next year that likely will include a $3.5 million fire station to be built in Timnath.

Brinkman Construction, a division of Brinkman Partners, beat out 12 other companies that responded to a request for proposal issued by the city of Fort Collins on behalf of the fire authority.

In addition to the station in Timnath, the fire authority is planning on building another station in the northeast part of the…

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