We know design / build construction and have developed the Roebuck
Approach during our decades of experience of hands
on experience.
 Fast
Track Schedules
Client
Presentations
Site
Evaluation
In
House Architect and Engineer
Conceptual
Design
Detailed
Design
Construction
Close
Out
Advantages of the Design / Build Approach
1.
The Design / Build Contractor provides the Owner with a single
point of accountability. The Owner needs no longer act as an adjudicator
for any disputes between the designer and the constructor.
2. The lines of communication are
simplified in comparison with those of the "traditional"
method. Chances for misunderstanding are reduced. Coordination between
the Owner and the Contractor is improved.
3. Project
design and project construction may become related parts of a unified
system. The construction expertise of the constructor and the design
expertise of the designer can be melded to produce greater values
for the Owner.
4. Construction of the project can
be initiated on a phased basis while design is still underway. This
"fast tracking" will reduce the Owner's interim financing
costs and will permit him to occupy the project at an earlier date.
It can also reduce the Contractor's time-dependent job costs.
5. The unified design / build responsibility
facilitates the Contractor's control of project performance. He
can proceed with early procurement of critical materials, schedule
his labor and his subcontractors for great effectiveness, and maintain
the desired project quality at all levels.
Selection of a Design / Build Contractor
1. The Owner,
as his first step in the selection process, should identify his
basic requirements for the proposed project. His statement of project
requirements will become the basis for his subsequent discussions
with prospective Design / Build Contractors.
2. The Owner's next step is to identify
these contracting organizations which have both the competence and
the interest to function as his Design / Build Contractor. The chapter
offices of the Associated General Contractors of America will, at
the request of an Owner, assist him in locating reputable Design
/ Build Contractors. The methods that the Owner uses to accomplish
his selection will depend, to a considerable extent, upon the method
of award which he proposed to employ.
a.
If the Owner will be expending public funds, he may be constrained
to make the award on the basis of open, competitive bidding. The
Owner should then ensure that his statement of project requirements
is sufficiently detailed and unambiguous so that responsive and
comparable proposals can be obtained. It is also desirable to establish
formal prequalification criteria whose objectives are to exclude
unqualified contractors from further consideration. Such criteria
should include each contractor's experience records, evidence of
his demonstrated ability to perform design / build projects satisfactorily,
proof of adequate financial responsibility, and availability of
personnel with expertise both in design and in construction.
b.
If the Owner will be expending private funds, he may prefer to proceed
with his selection on an invitational basis. He will then contact
only those Design / Build Contactors whom he believes, either on
the basis of his past experience or as the result of his investigations,
to be qualified to execute his project. He may conduct interviews
with these contractors, review his previously prepared statement
of project requirements with them, invite their proposals, etc.
He should be prepared to pay for the cost of design studies, test
borings, analysis, etc. which are required for cost estimating purposes.
3. Once the Owner has made his selection
of a design / build Contractor, the two parties will enter into
a design / build contract. In some instances, the Owner may engage
a Contractor to perform the planning phases of the project on a
cost-reimbursable basis, with provision to extend the contract to
include completion of design and construction if the findings of
the planning phase are satisfactory. The Owner should be prepared
to work closely with the Contractor as the details of the project
solution are developed. The Owners’ expeditious review and
approval of submissions by the Design / Build Contractor is critical
to the success of this method. It is helpful for an Owner to designate
one person from his organization, with sufficient knowledge and
authority, to act in liaison with the Design / Build Contractor.
Design Build Projects
|
