STARTS WITH DESIGN-BUILD

By Randy Pope, PE, and Neal Angrisano, AIA, NCARB

Airport projects are often saddled with tight time and budget package can be purchased and started before the final constraints. Or they may have a complex scope or difficult details of the interior design have been defined. Similarly, the existing conditions. Projects like these can often reap benefits foundation work might also be issued in its own early package. from the flexibility of design-build delivery, expediting the completion of a facility with efficiency and high quality. Cost Savings An integrated team is geared toward efficiency and innovation. Design-build is a method of project delivery in which one Communicating the cost implications of design decisions helps entity — the integrated design-build team — works under a the airport play a key role in arriving at the final project price. single contract with the airport or airline to provide design and Once the scope of work has been finalized, the project costs construction services: one entity, one contract, one unified flow are clearly defined and controlled by the design-build firm. of work from initial concept through completion. Design-build is an alternative to design-bid-build. Under the latter approach, Better Quality design and construction responsibilities are split — separate Design-builders meet performance needs, not minimum entities, separate contracts, separate work. design requirements, often developing innovations to deliver a better project than initially envisioned. The design-build method Advantages of Design-Build helps to remove ambiguity that may arise in material and construction specifications. Since the designer, engineer and Faster Delivery builder are from the same firm, the focus remains on protecting Collaborative project management means work is completed the clients’ interest. faster with fewer problems. Design-build projects can be completed in a shorter time because bid time is reduced, Singular Responsibility scheduling for the project can begin before the design is One entity is held accountable for cost, schedule and finalized, potential construction problems are uncovered early, performance. With the undivided accountability, responsibility and enhanced communication keeps everything moving. for defects or non-performance cannot shift to another party. The design-build approach provides a single source of Construction activities can begin well in advance of design accountability for your entire project. completion. For example, the designer can size major, long- lead-time equipment, allowing orders to be placed before the Enhanced Communication final detailed design is complete. Or a site civil construction Specific design and construction details are being developed throughout the process, and the focus remains on owner value. Simultaneously working with construction and design professionals opens up communication, maximizing the potential for problems to be discovered before the project starts. DESIGN-BUILD ADVANTAGES

Design-Build Utilizing Open-Book Approach GMP Established

Scope & Criteria Preliminary Design Final Design Time & Dollars Pre-Construction Services Construction Saved

Final Cost Traditional Design-Bid-Build Approach Determined

Scope & Criteria Preliminary Design Final Design Bid Construction

If project over budget — redesign and re-bid

Decreased Administrative Burden Whether it is a terminal building, runway, integrated information Value to owners is increased because they are able to focus technology and specialty systems, or any other utility or facility on their business while all the design and construction needs at your airport, a design-build approach streamlines project are handled through one source. Instead of back-and-forth delivery through a single contract between you and your communication between the architect/owner and owner/ design-build team. This simple but fundamental difference contractor, it is now streamlined to a single point of contact. can save money and time by transforming the relationship between designers and builders into an alliance which fosters Reduced Risk collaboration and teamwork. Design-build companies eliminate the additional costs that come with errors in planning or construction because only one In today’s fast-paced aviation environment, it is often necessary company owns responsibility. In a design-bid-build situation, to deliver your project as soon as possible to support your blame can be continually shifted resulting in costly delays, mission. An integrated design-build approach can give you the change orders and restarting work. flexibility to accomplish more of your goals.