Services

Whether your project is a minor facility improvement initiative or a more extensive construction endeavor, Hart O’Brien Consulting (HOC) has the expertise and resources to bring significant value to your undertaking. HOC can provide valuable assistance throughout various stages, including design and planning, preconstruction, procurement, construction, and post-construction. Acting as an Owner’s Project Manager, HOC works diligently to represent the priorities and aspirations of all stakeholders involved in the project, ensuring that their needs are met and integrated into the overall process.

Hart O’Brien Consulting (HOC) has successfully led a diverse range of major logistical operations, including notable high-rise furniture installations that have furnished over 700 units in various residential buildings. Additionally, the firm has expertly coordinated the complex move-in process for approximately 3,000 to 5,000 students, along with all of their personal belongings, onto college campuses in just a single weekend. HOC has taken the lead in the installation efforts for furniture within newly constructed facilities, and has also facilitated the seamless transition of owners into their new spaces across various sectors, including Higher Education, K-12 schools, and Commercial Real Estate. Furthermore, HOC's move management projects can be coordinated both locally in Chicago as well as out of state. The firm has successfully coordinated move activities in multiple regions, including Illinois, Massachusetts, and Indiana, ensuring that each project is executed with utmost efficiency and attention to detail.

Hart O’Brien Consulting (HOC) can effectively assist clients in the comprehensive procurement of furniture and equipment packages tailored specifically for their unique projects. HOC has successfully led extensive RFP processes for a variety of clients, and has negotiated favorable multi-year contracts with furniture brokers and dealers to establish and maintain stable pricing rates. Additionally, HOC has managed extensive multi-year, multi-million dollar furniture replacement cycles in student housing at three major universities located in Chicago, and has facilitated the selection of new furniture for newly constructed residence halls—one with a capacity 465 beds. Furthermore, HOC has spearheaded the selection and procurement efforts of furniture in K-12 education settings, securing a substantial $3 million contract, as well as in the field of Commercial Real Estate, where they successfully executed a $4 million furniture contract.

Hart O’Brien Consulting (HOC) is well-equipped to assist organizations with various aspects of the RFP and Contract Negotiation Processes, including the development of Service Level Agreements and the drafting of Memoranda of Understanding. Jennifer, a seasoned professional, brings decades of experience to the table, having successfully negotiated large vendor service contracts in a wide range of areas such as general contractor, roofing and masonry, custodial services, elevator maintenance, pest control, laundry services, vending operations, and more. Additionally, she has substantial experience working in unionized environments, where she has actively participated in the renewal processes for union contracts. Furthermore, Jennifer has successfully negotiated and authorized numerous service level agreements and memorandums of understanding between diverse project partners, ensuring clear communication and mutual understanding.

Hart O’Brien Consulting can assist your university student housing portfolio in effectively shrinking or strategically growing by implementing a range of comprehensive occupancy management approaches. These include in-depth rate structure comparisons, tailored strategies designed to increase overall occupancy rates, innovative strategies for managing growth in occupancy levels, as well as practical approaches for effectively managing any surplus in housing stock that may arise.

If you are currently working to determine the long-term viability of future housing construction on your campus, Hart O’Brien Consulting is available to assist you by employing the following specialized tools: a comprehensive Feasibility Study, an in-depth Housing Market Demand Study, and organized Student and Campus Partner Focus Groups. These resources are designed to provide you with valuable insights and data to inform your decision-making process.

With more than 20 years of extensive experience in student housing operations, combined with significant expertise in university campus emergency response protocols, Hart O’Brien Consulting is well-qualified and positioned to assist you in your thorough operational procedure reviews. Our services include comprehensive Business Continuity Planning, as well as detailed Emergency Procedure and Business Procedure Audit offerings, ensuring that your institution is prepared for any situation that may arise.