County of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services

Monterey Park, California

Consolidation of Locations

Unisource Solutions was awarded a significant project in December 2021 by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services (DPSS). The project's objective was to consolidate three separate locations into a single facility in Monterey Park, CA, spanning a total of 68,407 square feet. The new facility would provide public access and support services and accommodate various areas, including 450 workstations, 34 private offices, waiting areas, conference rooms, training rooms, huddle rooms, break rooms, storage areas, orientation rooms, interview areas, and lactation rooms. The project was completed in June, 2023.

Unisource Solutions collaborated with several partners to execute the project successfully. The primary partners included architectural firm SAA, developer Sonneblick Development, Contractor GCX, County of LA - CEO (Asset Management Branch - Real Estate Division), County of LA ISD (Program & Space Planning Section), and the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services.

Project Scope

Unisource Solutions was responsible for the supply, delivery, and installation of all furniture in the new facility, covering the 450 workstations, private offices, waiting areas, conference rooms, training rooms, huddle rooms, breakrooms, storage areas, orientation rooms, interview areas, and lactation rooms. The products used in the project included furniture from Haworth, Global Furniture, Humanscale, Appenx Signage, and various other manufacturers.

Client Objectives

The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services aimed to consolidate and relocate their MIE (Management, Information, and Evaluation), IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services), and GAIN (Greater Avenues for Independence) offices, which were previously situated at separate locations in El Monte. The new facility in Monterey Park would accommodate approximately 282 employees, including security guards and collocated employees. It would serve as a hub for managing administrative activities and providing supportive services to DPSS clients, serving around 150 to 200 participants daily. The new location was strategically selected, conveniently located near public transportation routes and major freeways.

Challenges

The project was complex and required meticulous coordination. Unisource Solutions faced the challenge of dealing with furniture orders before construction began. The team conducted field verification and made necessary adjustments to adapt to on-site conditions. To maintain seamless communication and problem-solving, the Unisource team attended weekly meetings with the partners for one and a half years. Additionally, internal Unisource team meetings were held weekly for four and a half months to address ongoing issues and find solutions.

The Unisource Solutions team faced several specific challenges throughout the project:

1. Length of Time: The project's duration of 18 months required a significant commitment to maintain continuity.
2. Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic presented unforeseen challenges, including health and safety protocols, remote work arrangements, and supply chain disruptions.
3. Supply Chain Disruptions: The pandemic, along with other factors, led to disruptions in the supply chain, impacting the availability and delivery of furniture and materials.
4. Price Increases The fluctuating market conditions and supply chain issues contributed to price increases for certain products.

Solutions

Unisource Solutions effectively tackled the challenges by implementing the following solutions:

1. Strategic Procurement: Products that did not have price holds were procured early and stored until needed, mitigating the risk of future price increases.
2. Collaboration with Haworth: By working closely with Haworth, Unisource Solutions managed to preserve pricing by ordering the required products and adjusting delivery dates to avoid incurring price increases.

Key Take-Away

Unisource Solutions successfully completed the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services project, consolidating three locations into a single, state-of-the-art facility in Monterey Park. Despite the challenges posed by the lengthy project timeline, pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and price increases, Unisource's strategic approach, collaboration with partners, and commitment to excellence allowed them to deliver the project on time and to the client's satisfaction. The new facility provides enhanced public access and support services for DPSS clients and employees alike, meeting the County's objectives and requirements.

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