Page 12 - The EDGE Spring 2022

ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY METHODS

BY MIKE GONZALEZ
School Construction: Which Method Is Best?

Traditionally, the three stages of building a new
education project – planning, design and construction
– have been independent and sequential. Builders
bid on jobs based on designs already set in stone, and
owners select the lowest qualified bidder to bring an
education project to life.

Using the traditional delivery method of design-bid-
build, the design professional and general contractor
function in silos. The architect does all the work
beforehand with the owner, but without input from
the contractor. Once the plans are in place, the
contractor bids the project and works with trade
partners to complete it. results in terms of quality, schedule and budget. In fact,
since 2000, the vast majority of school construction
Today, alternative delivery methods are quickly projects in Arizona use alternative delivery methods,
becoming the “new norm.” These methods are including design-build, construction manager at
growing in popularity because they take into account risk (CMAR), design-assist and integrated project
the objectives of the owner, designer and general delivery (IPD).
contractor and align priorities to achieve the best
Alternative delivery methods are preferred because
QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN SELECTING A they utilize a highly collaborative structure whereby
DELIVERY METHOD the core project team, comprised of the owner, designer
◊ INVOLVEMENT: How involved can I be in the project? Do and general contractor, is formed early on. The team
I have the capability and resources to make important works together to identify project solutions that meet
decisions? What will my relationship with the project the owner’s goals, often resulting in cost savings and
team look like? Who will I have to manage? scheduling wins.

◊ SERVICES: Will I receive preconstruction services? What In general, the top three owner concerns about
additional services will I get during construction? alternative delivery are:
◊ RISK: Who holds the risk for project performance? What
will I be contractually responsible for? Myth 1: It’s more expensive.
Truth: Alternative delivery actually gives an owner
◊ SCHEDULE: When does the scope have to be completely cost certainty from the first day the project is awarded
defined? When will the construction cost be defined? and is more cost-efficient than traditional project
What will the total project timeline be? Can we fast-track delivery methods in many situations. This is because
the project? How will we deal with schedule delays? the project budget is identified early in the process and

◊ BUDGET: Will I get the best value for my investment? continuously maintained throughout the collaborative
How will we deal with change orders? Will there be cost process, which saves time, money and, importantly,
certainty? minimizes costly disputes.

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12 THE EDGE SPRING 2022