The CFL will be built on the site of the former MPD First District Headquarters, at 415 4th Street, SW in Ward 6
Contact: Sean Madigan, 202-615-2029 (cell); Feras Sleiman, 202-251-8829 (cell)
(Washington, DC) – Mayor Adrian M. Fenty on Wednesday announced the District has selected Whiting-Turner for a $133 million contract to build the Consolidated Forensic Laboratory (CFL) that will house a number of public health and safety functions within the same facility.
“This is our most important public safety, public health and homeland security project,” said Mayor Fenty. “It is critical that we keep this project moving on the fast track.”
The CFL will be a state-of-the-art research facility for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Forensic Laboratory, the Department of Health (DOH) Public Health Laboratory and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). It will coordinate crime, public safety and health investigations to help law enforcement solve crimes quickly without having to rely on other laboratories with competing priorities.
The total project cost will be about $220 million, including specialized equipment.
“Our OPM team has been working with the MPD, DOH and OCME for two years to make sure the CFL is planned and built on time to meet their coordinated needs,” said Robin-Eve Jasper, OPM Director. “We are anxious to get it underway.”
“The additional capability of the Consolidated Forensic Laboratory will greatly enhance MPD’s crime-solving capacity,” said Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier. “The officers of the Metropolitan Police Department look forward to the Consolidated Forensic Laboratory bringing them these advanced forensic tools.”
The CFL will be built on the site of the former MPD First District Headquarters, at 415 4th Street, SW in Ward 6. The First District recently moved to the former Bowen School in southwest, paving the way for demolition. The firm-fixed price contract includes abatement and demolition of the old building as well as a 35 percent set-aside for Certified Business Enterprises (CBE).
The 287,000 square foot CFL will stand six stories and include two levels of underground parking. Designers anticipate the project will qualify for a LEED Gold green building certification. The construction management contract, also competitively bid, was awarded early last year to Jacobs Engineering. The A/E firm of HOK is the project design architects.