- What is a design/build project?
- What are typical environmental or specialty
projects?
- How does design/build differ
from a conventional "plan
and spec" project?
- Given the right conditions for a design/build
project, what are the advantages?
- What are the design/build contractor's
responsibilities?
- What are the client's responsibilities?
- Why doesn't a design/build contractor
sell design services alone?
- How do corporate purchasing agents usually
handle design/build contracts?
- Is it possible to use a specific design/build
contractor and retain competitive prices?
- What should be the criteria for pre-qualifying
and selecting a design/build contractor?
- Is Van Dyken Mechanical, Inc. a qualified
design/build contractor?
It is a performance-oriented project wherein a client and contractor
agree that the contractor will take complete responsibility for
the design and installation of a particular environmental or specialty
system to satisfy the client's outline requirements for a specific
dollar amount and within a given period of time.
Heating and air conditioning, dust and fume control, laboratory
ventilation and pressurization, heat recovery, piping packages,
air pollution control, temperature control upgrades, and energy
and process management systems.
In a Design/Build scenario the contractor assumes the sole responsibility
for design and construction on a given project. He proposes a complete
system and complement of services, and is not simply bidding on
what is contained in a set of drawings or specification prepared
by a consultant.
a) Sole source responsibility; if there's a problem, the contractor
is responsible to fix it.
b) A straight-forward approach to design with greater flexibility.
c) Easier to identify and control costs.
d) Minimal extra charges.
e) Better quality control.
f) Coordination tasks usually simpler.
g) More personal, one-to-one service.
h) Early assignment of skilled trades workers.
i) Participation by the client in selection of materials.
j) Rapid response to changes in scope with minimal paper work.
a) To quote on work within his area of expertise.
b) To state clearly in his proposal exactly what will be done, what is not
included, what the price will be and what the schedule will be.
c) To produce a functional, calibrated and adjusted system that actually functions
completely to the satisfaction of the client.
a) Treat the Design/build proposal as confidential;
do not "shop" the
proposal on the open market.
b) Pre-qualify contractors and check the references of those submitting proposals.
c) Pay the successful contractor for the work he does.
It ties up his design staff and, therefore, may represent a loss
of alternate Design/Build business. Design services usually return
insufficient overhead to carry a contracting business which has
expenses such as tooling, equipment, insurance, etc. Further, the
typical Design/Build contractor does not carry liability insurance
to cover his designs if they are installed by someone else.
Purchasing agents often solicit a proposal from
a qualified Design/Build contractor based upon outline specifications
generated by the engineers
on his staff. The proposal is treated as a confidential disclosure
by the contractor and typically includes details on labor rates
and fees and other information such as design concepts, overall
feasibility, experience record, references, current workload commitments
and general ability to perform the work. Such a process assures
the client that a contractor has been selected on the basis of "best
value" instead of solely "lowest bid."
Yes! Contractors will typically agree to provide
a complete design and construct project on a "guaranteed maximum" basis.
They will agree to charge no more for the project than a given
amount, assuming the scope does not change. If their costs are
less than originally estimated, savings are passed on to the client
on a pre-agreed basis. The client often participates in decisions
regarding equipment and materials on the basis of best value, not
necessarily just low price. Many corporate engineers and purchasing
directors agree that this is the best way of utilizing the contractor
he selected for the job while still retaining control over quality
and costs.
Questions must be asked regarding experience, financial strength,
quality of workmanship, staff availability and manpower profile.
Visits to representative projects and the contractor's base of
operations should also be considered.
Yes! Qualified, insured, licensed, financially healthy, experienced
(over 50 years), properly staffed and ready to provide references
and initial consultation free of charge.
