Tuesday, January 26, 2016: 2:30 PM-3:30 PM
Design Build
Chair:
Frank Shadpour, P.E., SC Engineers, Inc.
Technical Committee: 01.04 Control Theory and Application
Those who recommend Design-Build for every situation need to be careful. When it comes to DDC, Design-Build may not be the best solution. Some general contractors claim that the controls subcontractor is no different than the drywall subcontractor, and if a Design Build delivery method works for one, it should work for all. Our speaker feels strongly that a Design-Build scenario is the best solution for today’s DDC systems. “I beg to differ,” says our other speaker. Categorizing drywall and DDC subcontractors under the same umbrella spells trouble. Join us for a healthy discussion.
1 Yes, It Works!
 |
Brian Allen, ATS Automation |
Design-Build is the preferred method for the majority of direct digital control (DDC) contracts. The contractors’ expertise is such that they can deliver the latest, cutting-edge technology faster and more economically. Design-Bid-Build projects may require months or even years to develop construction documents to release for bid, and the DDC systems specified may be outdated before the project is bid. Since the general contractors are in control of the subcontractors, it gives the general contractors the ability to manage the DDC costs and keep the project within budget. The contractors are developing budgets instead of designers; therefore, the likelihood of cost increases and budget delays are reduced. Design-Build and Design-Bid-Build projects are both commissioned in the same way to ensure that the Owner Project Requirements (OPR) are met. The contractor is responsible for developing the most cost-effective solution to meet the project needs which relieves this burden from the owner. For these reasons, it is imperative that DDC contracts be delivered in the Design-Build manner.
2 No, It Doesn't!
 |
George Gemberling III, County of Riverside |
When it comes to direct digital control (DDC) contracts, Design-Build is not the preferred method. A Design-Build-Bid method is preferable because of the level of collaboration that must take place in the development of the DDC system between the owner, end users and the designer. Each organization is unique; and so are the requirements for the DDC system. DDC systems are sophisticated and cannot be treated as a commodity, such as drywall or steel. The Design-Build delivery method lends itself to a "one-size-fits-all” approach in which the significance of the DDC system is diminished. If a Design-Build contract does not have clearly defined owner project requirements (OPR) then the owner may not get a DDC system that fits the need of the building. Since the upfront requirements may not be clearly defined for DDC systems in Design-Build contracts, this opens the door for DDC contractor change orders during construction. For these reasons, it is imperative that DDC contracts be delivered in the traditional Design-Bid-Build manner.