Job Order Contracting (JOC) for Facility Renovations

Job Order Contracting (JOC) is an efficient and flexible construction procurement method that enables organizations to complete many projects with one competitively awarded contract. Responsible for tens of thousands of projects and $4 billion in construction volume every year, Gordian’s Job Order Contracting solutions are the go-to delivery method for various types of work. Perhaps JOC is most associated with facility renovations, work undertaken to improve existing spaces.

Why Use JOC for Facility Renovations?

Job Order Contracting is a unique construction procurement method that enables numerous projects to be completed with a single contract. Always competitively awarded, Job Order Contracts accelerate the project delivery cycle by as much as 25%, according to a report from NIGP and Gordian. This unmatched speed is what makes JOC such a tremendous fit for facility renovations. Possessing the ability to contract many such projects with one solicitation is an efficient use of time, money and people.

Now that we’ve discussed why JOC is a popular approach for facility renovations, let’s look at a few examples from across North America.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Improves Three Stations During Brief Shutdown

Boston transit lines are taken down regularly for renovations, maintenance and repairs. Known as the diversion schedule, this calendar gives the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) a brief window to complete necessary work. However, the MBTA is only provided with the diversion schedule two months in advance, meaning they must move quickly to get the work scoped and scheduled. For traditional project delivery methods like design-build and design-bid-build, that is simply not enough time. That’s why when the MBTA wanted to complete stairway and facility renovations at three locations across two weeks during the diversion schedule, they turned to Gordian’s Job Order Contracting (JOC).  

Said Gordian Account Manager, Kevin Zomek, “Choosing the JOC process over traditional procurement methods enabled the MBTA to swiftly initiate and execute projects at Central Square Station, Davis Station and Harvard Square Station. By leveraging preset pricing, the awarded contractor, Mill City, could mobilize three projects simultaneously, allowing the team to focus on delivering high-quality results within the tight shutdown schedules.” 

This project included concrete repairs, masonry repairs, demolition and re-installation of granite pavers, railing bracket repair, the installation of new stair treads and painting, bringing these three facilities to a good state of repair.  In total, the work came within budget, with costs reaching approximately $800,000. All work, including some added to the original scope, was completed within the two-week shutdown period.  

The station upgrades were a stellar success and an example of the efficiency and collaboration central to JOC programs. For these reasons, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Mill City were honored with a 2024 Award of Merit in Job Order Contracting.

Check out this free eBook to see how JOC can help you make the most of limited project windows and scheduled breaks in service.

School District 27J Completes Slew of Kitchen Renovations

Encompassing more than 20 elementary, middle and high schools, as well as an alternative school and several charter schools, Brighton, Colorado’s School District 27J (SD27J) is practiced at managing busy facilities and juggling projects across locations. So when they needed to renovate kitchens at four different schools, district leaders knew they had to hit the ground running to start work as quickly as possible without disrupting regular activities. They found a solution that met their needs in Gordian’s Cooperative Job Order Contracting.  

A Cooperative JOC contract functions the same as a standalone Job Order Contract, but with one significant difference: The master contract is held by one entity (typically a purchasing cooperative) and made available to many others. These contracts are construction-ready, with prices preset and contractors awarded. A member of the purchasing co-op Sourcewell, SD27J leveraged one of these convenient contracts to begin work immediately.  

The project was awarded to JOC Construction, a firm specializing in Job Order Contracting. The district and the contractor worked together to formulate a plan that maximized the project timeline and budget. JOC Construction crews worked to remove and replace cafeteria equipment, and when the supply chain hit a snag, they came up with a solution that allowed the cafeterias to operate.  

School leaders were so delighted with JOC Construction that they expanded the scope of work to include gymnasium renovations and an expansion of the band room. All work, valued at a total of $2.7 million, was finished before the next school year began. The facility renovations made such a profound impact on students, parents, teachers, administrators, staff and the community that Gordian honored SD27J and JOC Construction with a 2024 Award of Merit in Job Order Contracting. 

“As you know, you can’t start school and not serve breakfast or lunch. We wouldn’t have been able to turn this [project] around as quickly as we did if we hadn’t gone through the JOC process,” said Becky Smith. “[JOC Construction] was fantastic to work with. They were more than willing to make things happen and go above and beyond my expectations.”

City of Miami Beach Upgrades Commission Chamber with New Tech

In 2023, the City of Miami Beach endeavored to renovate the commission chamber, the space inside City Hall where local officials convene and legislate, to create a better experience for in-person and online viewers.   

“The overarching goal was to create a room that was beautiful, that was welcoming and that was futureproof, so that we could broadcast to our residents and beyond for the next 20-30+ years,” said Frank Garcia, the City of Miami Beach’s Facilities Management Division Director.  

To complete what Video Production and Operations Manager Pierre Joseph called “by far one of the biggest technology implementations” in the history of City Hall, the City of Miami Beach turned to Gordian’s Job Order Contracting, a project delivery method they’ve trusted for years.  

The City of Miami Beach awarded the renovation to Lee Construction, a South Florida contractor with decades of experience, and worked with William Lane Architect, a celebrated firm specializing in dynamic, contemporary designs. The contractor and the architect collaborated on a design that preserved the building’s historic integrity while transforming the space into the environment desired by the city. 

Renovations began in October of 2023. The Lee Construction team moved the AV room from the first floor to the second, replaced interior finishes, expanded seating and enhanced audio/visual tech, including 4K cameras, to allow the city to broadcast meetings live to the community.   

Work on the $2.4 million project finished in May 2024. Since then, online viewership of government meetings has increased by over 31,000 new viewers. Thanks to innovation, collaboration and Job Order Contracting, the people of Miami Beach now enjoy greater access to local government.

Download this insightful free eBook covering how healthcare organizations can unify facilities planning and construction procurement in five steps.

Jackson Health Renovates Café and Lobby

Our final facility renovation also took place in South Florida, at the Ira C. Clark Diagnostic Treatment Center (DTC), a facility that serves as the central hub for nearly every department on the Jackson Health System’s Miami Campus. Within the walls of Clark DTC, patients receive MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, X-rays and other tests to determine the best course of treatment. 

Built in 1995, some two decades later, DTC was due for a renovation to accommodate the area’s growing population and technological advancements in the field of medicine. Part of the DTC’s overhaul was a complete renovation of the café/marketplace where patients, visitors and staff eat, work and congregate every day. To bring this vision to life, Jackson Health leaders used Gordian JOC.  

Jackson Health System is no stranger to a Gordian JOC program. Years ago, they used the construction delivery innovation to add a helipad to the Jackson South Trauma Center and complete a spate of upgrades and renovations. The reason they turned to it for that project is the same reason they used it for renovating the Clark Diagnostic Treatment Center: Speed to construction. 

Lobby renovations began in April of 2021. Lee Construction Group was selected as the general contractor, and they brought on a team of nine local subcontractors to complete the work. In fact, using Gordian’s Job Order Contracting, Jackson Health exceeded its inclusion goals, as 53% of the work – nearly $400,000 worth – was performed by Small Business Enterprise (SBE) contractors.  

The renovation also included a total reconfiguration of the space to accommodate people of all abilities, the installation of banquette seating with ample access to electrical outlets for device use, lighting updates and upgrades to the existing HVAC and fire protection system. The project finished in September of 2022 at a total cost of around $713,000. The renovated lobby and café provide visitors with a bright, inviting space to relax, eat and socialize.