The $229M John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, located in downtown Detroit, became fully operational in June 1996, replacing the Allen Park VA Medical Center built in 1937. The construction resulted in a primary, secondary, and tertiary care facility including acute medical, surgical, psychiatric, neurological, dermatological, and intermediate inpatient care. In addition, both primary and specialized outpatient services are provided at the medical center as well as outpatient substance abuse, day treatment, and a mental hygiene clinic. The construction included a new, 503-bed medical facility, two parking structures, and an Energy Center building.

Trauner was retained by the VA to evaluate and help resolve approximately $65M in claims, which included a $43M claim from the Joint Venture GC and $22M in claims from its subcontractors, including the mechanical and electrical subcontractors. Services consisted of reviewing each component of each claim; reviewing all supporting documentation and documentation procured as the result of an extensive discovery process; analysis of each claim to determine merit; review of the contractor’s schedule analysis and preparation of an independent schedule analysis; the evaluation of inefficiency; the evaluation of damages and coordination with the Defense Contract Auditing Agency (DCAA) audit; analysis of Field Change Orders, Field Supplemental Agreements, Central Office Change Orders, and Central Office Supplemental Agreements, and Requests for Information to determine their effect on the project; interviews of key VA personnel; preparation of a summary statement of our analysis for use as a basis for the Contracting Officer’s decision; meetings with appropriate personnel to discuss our opinions and recommendations; preparation of expert reports; participation in Alternative Dispute Resolution proceedings; litigation support services, including the identification of additional technical experts and preparation of deposition questions; and participation in the successful negotiation of the matter.