Owners new to progressive design-build (PDB) often face significant challenges and uncertainties. These hurdles typically revolve around procurement strategies, contracts, implementation processes, and workflows. The complexity of these elements can be daunting, especially for those unfamiliar with the intricacies of PDB. However, leveraging the expertise of owner advisors (OA) who bring experience from other implementation efforts can significantly mitigate these challenges and pave the way for successful project delivery.
Advantages of Using an OA on PDB Projects
Owner advisors can play a crucial role in guiding owners through the PDB process. They provide essential expertise in planning, procuring, and managing collaborative delivery projects. The advantages of using an OA include the following:
- Expert Guidance: Providing critical insights into procurement strategies, helping owners navigate the complexities of requests for qualifications (RFQs) and requests for procurement (RFPs).
- Validation of Project Scope and Budget: Defining project scope by understanding construction requirements and schedules, as well as the ability to provide accurate cost estimation services and contingency development/management plans helping owners to forecast budgets and prioritize project scopes.
- Template Use: Delivering structured guidelines that streamline the procurement process by leveraging WCDA documents such as the Progressive Design-Build Procurement Guide which includes attachments for two-step RFQ template instructions and two-step RFP template instructions, as well as DBIA Contract Document #545, “Progressive Design-Build Agreement for Water and Wastewater Projects,” and incorporating owner’s procurement procedures and contractual requirements.
- Document Structuring: Ensuring that PDB documents reflect industry best practices by assessing current markets and facilitating industry outreach within the collaborative delivery market.
- Permitting Counsel: Identifying long-lead permits, permit responsibilities between owner and design-builder, and providing permitting and environmental reviews.
- Collaborative Approach: Emphasizing teamwork and clear communication among all stakeholders.
- Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating risks early in the project life cycle.
- Quality Assurance: Maintaining high standards of quality throughout the project.
Qualities of a Good OA
The role of an OA on PDB projects should align with that of a trusted advisor, but in order to properly navigate and implement successful PDB projects, there are several qualities an OA must possess, including the following:
- Facilitator of Collaborative Environment: Working cooperatively with other internal team members as well as third-party advisors such as legal, insurance, financial, and permitting agencies.
- Experience in Procurement of PDB: Understanding not only industry best practices for procurement document development and process implementation, but knowledge of federal, state, local, and owner-specific requirements which can impact the procurement process.
- Technical Expertise: An OA should have technical expertise and subject matter experts specific to the technologies and/or processes of a project, providing critical project input at the conceptual design level and ongoing review capabilities through the detailed design process.
- Cost Estimating and Review Capabilities: Comprehensive knowledge of construction practices and cost estimating services in order to assist with GMP negotiations and validation of project budget.
- Understanding O&M: Providing observation and validation of successful PDB through performance testing and startup, performance guarantee validation, ensuring projects meet operators’ requirements and needs.
Collaboration is key to setting up a PDB project for success. By fostering a collaborative environment, stakeholders can work together to achieve common goals. By providing clear communication, proactive problem-solving, and a sense of shared responsibility, an OA can help ensure project success.
Using an owner advisor provides consistency, familiarity, and credibility to PDB projects. Their expertise in procurement strategies, contract management, and implementation processes/workflows is invaluable. By leveraging WCDA and DBIA templates and adhering to industry best practices, owners can navigate the complexities of PDB with confidence and achieve successful project outcomes.