Federal Construction Estimator

Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Employment Type: Full-time
Department: Preconstruction / Estimating

About the Role

We are seeking a detail-driven Estimator with strong experience in federal and/or commercial building markets to join our St. Paul team. You will lead and support the full estimating lifecycle-from conceptual budgets through hard bids and GMP proposals across new construction, renovations, and tenant improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Estimate Development

  • Prepare conceptual, schematic, design development, and 100% CD estimates using assemblies and detailed takeoffs by CSI MasterFormat divisions.
  • Build and maintain quantity takeoffs and pricing for general conditions, self-perform scopes (as applicable), and subcontracted work.
  • Develop unit pricing, production rates, work breakdown structures, allowances, contingencies, and escalation assumptions.
  • Validate scope completeness against drawings, specs, and addenda; lead scope gap and scope overlap reviews.

• Federal Estimating & Compliance

  • Prepare sealed bids and proposals for federal agencies (e.g., USACE, VA, GSA, DHS), including SF 1442 and required forms/representations.
  • Incorporate FAR/DFARS, Davis-Bacon, Buy American/Trade Agreements, small business participation, and cybersecurity/QA provisions into pricing and narratives.
  • Support Past Performance and Technical Approach inputs for Best Value/LPTA procurements; coordinate RFI questions and bid clarifications.

• Market & Subcontractor Engagement

  • Develop bid lists; prequalify and solicit proposals from local and national trade partners.
  • Lead scope reviews and leveling of subcontractor proposals; normalize exclusions, alternates, and clarifications.
  • Track market conditions (labor productivity, material lead times, supplier volatility, escalation).

• Collaboration & Delivery

  • Work with Precon/Operations to align means & methods, logistics, phasing, and schedule assumptions.
  • Partner with VDC for model-based quantity verification and 3D scope checks where available.
  • Contribute to proposal content: executive summaries, project narratives, logistics plans, value engineering, and risk registers.

• Cost & Risk Management

  • Maintain historical cost database and benchmarking for the Upper Midwest region.
  • Perform value engineering, alternates, and life-cycle cost comparisons.
  • Identify project risks (site constraints, winter conditions, material volatility, schedule compression) and develop pricing strategies to mitigate.

Required Qualifications

• 4-8+ years of estimating experience with a General Contractor focused on building construction (federal and/or commercial).
• Proven delivery of hard bids, negotiated/GMP proposals, and design-assist precon support.
• Proficiency with quantity takeoff and estimating tools (e.g., Bluebeam Revu, On-Screen Takeoff/PlanSwift, RSMeans, Sage/Timberline/ProEst/HCSS or similar).
• Solid knowledge of FAR/DFARS, Davis‑Bacon, CSI MasterFormat, drawing/spec standards, and procurement methods (Sealed Bid, Best Value, CMAR, Job Order/IDIQ, MATOC).
• Ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, MEPFP, and civil drawings/specifications.
• Strong Excel skills (assemblies, cost libraries, pivot tables) and comfort with databases.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to present estimates and defend assumptions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience estimating for USACE, VA, or GSA projects (hospitals/clinics, office, labs, training facilities, mission-critical, secure spaces).
• Familiarity with Minnesota building codes, MS4/site constraints, winter construction logistics, and regional trade pricing.
• Exposure to LEAN preconstruction, Last Planner concepts, or Target Value Delivery.
• Familiarity with BIM 5D workflows (e.g., Navisworks quantities, model-based takeoff).
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Active clearance eligibility or prior work on secure federal projects (preferred, not required).

Core Competencies

• Accuracy & Detail Orientation: Produces complete, defensible estimates with clear backup.
• Commercial Acumen: Understands how cost, schedule, logistics, and risk drive win strategies.
• Collaboration: Works seamlessly with Precon, Operations, VDC, and BD; leads trade partners with respect and clarity.
• Problem Solving: Anticipates design gaps; proposes constructible, cost-effective solutions.
• Time Management: Thrives under tight deadlines and multi-bid environments.

Typical Project Types

• Federal: Administrative/office, medical/clinical, training/classrooms, labs, warehouse/support, secure/SCIF renovations (as applicable).
• Commercial: Office, mixed-use, higher-ed, healthcare interiors, light industrial, retail/tenant improvements.

Tools & Technologies

• Estimating & Takeoff: RSMeans, Sage/Timberline, ProEst/WinEst/HCSS, OST/PlanSwift, Bluebeam Revu
• Collaboration: Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams
• Scheduling (for assumptions): Primavera P6 or MS Project
• BIM/VDC (as available): Navisworks, Revit (quantities), model viewers