City of Tampa Mobilizes Rapid Response to Housing Emergency

Challenge: Roof Collapse Prompts Swift Action

A Florida woman and her daughter were thrust into crisis when driving rains caused their roof to cave in, causing an electrical short, forcing them to sleep in their car. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, representatives from the City of Tampa (CoT) Housing and Community Development Department and the  CoT Job Order Contracting (JOC) Coordinator sprang into action. They immediately organized a meeting with local JOC contractor Austin Construction Group and Gordian to assess the situation. With a family’s life upended and a property suffering serious damage, the project team took swift measures to complete the emergency work via Tampa’s Housing Rehabilitation & Renovation Program, a special initiative designed to improve housing conditions by providing financial assistance for renovations and home repairs to eligible homeowners within city limits.

Solution: Gordian’s Job Order Contracting (JOC) Expedites Roof Repairs

The home’s dangerous and uninhabitable conditions required an instantaneous response, which the City of Tampa delivered with Gordian’s Job Order Contracting. An IDIQ construction delivery method, JOC enables organizations to complete many projects using one competitively awarded contract. Under JOC programs, contractors bid on preset construction costs published in a Unit Price Book instead of bidding on individual projects. This unique, single-solicitation approach fast-tracks the construction procurement process by as much as 25%, according to a report from NIGP and Gordian. This incredible speed makes JOC an ideal solution for emergency construction.

As soon as the assessment meeting ended, Austin Construction got to work, providing a tarp to temporarily prevent any further water damage to the home. The company also expedited the project permit, having it approved in a single day. This commitment to positive outcomes is not only commendable on the part of the contractor, but it is a hallmark of JOC programs. The NIGP report on Job Order Contracting found that, compared with other delivery methods, JOC results in better relationships between owners and contractors. These stronger relationships produce better project outcomes.

See more about how JOC benefits Gordian’s customers, JOC contractors and communities across North America in this comprehensive video series.

Result: A Home Restored and an Opportunity Created

Austin Construction worked quickly to install a new roof, allowing the family to return home safely in a matter of days. The overall scope of work included: installing a new HVAC system; removing and installing drywall in the kitchen, bedrooms and family room; reinsulating attic space to achieve the proper R-Value; adding new baseboards; painting;  trimming trees; installing a new water heater, new kitchen cabinets and smoke detectors; and making repairs to an exterior stucco wall. In all, the emergency project cost approximately $100,000.

The rapid response demonstrated the necessity and effectiveness of the city’s JOC program, as well as Tampa Housing and Community Development’s commitment to the well-being of its residents and community service. It was a successful resolution to a stressful and hazardous ordeal.

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The efficiency with which the work was completed and the collaboration between the City of Tampa, Austin Construction and Gordian were exemplary of JOC’s efficacy for emergency construction, earning the project a 2024 Award of Merit in Job Order Contracting.

However, the successful ending goes beyond the project itself.  The homeowner’s daughter had recently graduated from college as an Environmental Engineer, and Austin Construction made her an offer to join their team.