Brooklyn's Progress
December 2006/January 2007

BY GENIA GOULD
 
Local small business including small construction firms stand to reap a windfall of opportunity in the coming year.  An $87 million appropriation in the 2007 Federal budget through the General Services Administration has funded a massive renovation project at Brooklyn's Emanuel Celler U.S. Courthouse at Cadman Plaza.

Brooklyn-based Volmar Construction, Inc., general contractor for the project, is seeking to hire local subcontractors to assist with the overhaul of the 45-year-old Courthouse.  The project must comply with Federal law mandating that 53% of the contractors hired for the project include small business firms.  Within that, 7% are to be owned by women, 3.5 % by veterans, 3% by service-disabled veteran-owned and 3% by HUB Zoned designated (historically underutilized businesses) among others.
 
This modernization project is the final phase of the “Brooklyn Court” project in Downtown Brooklyn which also involved the construction of a new Federal U.S. Courthouse and the renovation and adaptive reuse of the old U.S. General Post Office now Bankruptcy Court (which won an award at the 2006 Building Brooklyn Awards).

Renovations at the Celler Courthouse will entail the upgrade of elevators, telecommunications, lighting, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems; replacement of windows, parapet and roofing; construction of separate secure passageways for judicial personnel and the public; installation of a new emergency generator fire alarm, sprinkler and security systems; removal of asbestos, lead, and PCB's; provision of a seismic retrofit; and modification that will ensure that the facility is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  It is estimated the project will be completed in 2008.
 
The work will require the skills of carpenters, electricians, masons, floor and ceiling tilers, cleaners, printers, roofers, painters and firms specializing in fabricating precast panels, millwork, signage, toilet partitions and other construction products.  Many contracts for the project have not yet been awarded.
 
To reach subcontractors, Volmar has issued a request for bids (RFBs).
 
“We will be accepting bids as the project moves along and as needs arise,” said Olympia Kouridakis of Volmar who added the company would be willing to assist potential subcontractors, “We are available to assist those small companies in any way we can in qualifying as the specified designations, and also completing the bid and procurement process, filling out forms and whatever else they might need.

“Those who would like to view or obtain blueprints can speak with our estimator, Burt Gelsim," she said.

“The Brooklyn Court project has already provided more than $200 million in contracts to small and small disadvantaged businesses,” said Emily Baker, General Service Administration Regional Administrator.  “We look forward to continuing these efforts with the renovation of the Emanuel Celler U.S. Courthouse.  We are strongly committed to supporting the needs of small business across our nation and in actively outreaching to help small and disadvantaged business owners participate in the government procurement process.”
 
To reach Volmar Construction call 718-832-2444. To learn more about procurement opportunities visit the Brooklyn Chamber’s Brooklyn Connects program by clicking here or call Program Assistant Ilan Stern at 718-875-1000 ext. 132.