flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Federal construction contractors propose reforms to federal project delivery

Codes and Standards

Federal construction contractors propose reforms to federal project delivery

Industry leaders offer how procurement system could be improved.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | August 22, 2016

Pixabay Public Domain

After a brainstorming session with 13 construction industry leaders whose companies work for 11 federal agencies, the Federal Owners Forum issued a report in an effort to spur improvements in federal construction project procurement.

The event was sponsored by The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) and the Society for American Military Engineers (SAME). Participants advocated for increased use of design-build project delivery.

“The owners at the forum discussed early knowledge of costs and appropriate allocation of risk as the two main advantages of design-build,” said Lisa Washington, Executive Director and CEO of DBIA. There was extensive discussion on the critical role of procurement professionals, especially contracting officers, in unleashing innovation and creating better projects.

“From budget constraints, to agency staff turnover, to inconsistently defined requirements, neither government nor industry can solve these and other complex challenges alone,” said SAME Executive Director, Brig. Gen. Joe Schroedel, P.E., F.SAME, USA (Ret.). The forum intends to host a future forum for federal procurement officers to further address these issues.

Related Stories

K-12 Schools | Sep 5, 2023

CHPS launches program to develop best practices for K-12 school modernizations

The non-profit Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) recently launched an effort to develop industry-backed best practices for school modernization projects. The Minor Renovations Program aims to fill a void of guiding criteria for school districts to use to ensure improvements meet a high-performance threshold. 

Windows and Doors | Aug 31, 2023

Updated specification rates ability of windows, doors, skylights, sliding glass doors to withstand impacts from windborne debris

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) updated a specification providing a system for rating the ability of windows, doors, skylights and sliding glass doors to withstand impact and pressure cycling generally associated with hurricane conditions.

Office Buildings | Aug 31, 2023

About 11% of U.S. office buildings could be suitable for green office-to-residential conversions

A National Bureau of Economic Research working paper from researchers at New York University and Columbia Business School indicates that about 11% of U.S. office buildings may be suitable for conversion to green multifamily properties.

Adaptive Reuse | Aug 31, 2023

New York City creates team to accelerate office-to-residential conversions

New York City has a new Office Conversion Accelerator Team that provides a single point of contact within city government to help speed adaptive reuse projects. Projects that create 50 or more housing units from office buildings are eligible for this new program. 

Codes and Standards | Aug 31, 2023

Community-led effort aims to prevent flooding in Chicago metro region

RainReady Calumet Corridor project favors solutions that use natural and low-impact projects such as rain gardens, bioswales, natural detention basins, green alleys, and permeable pavers, to reduce the risk of damaging floods.

Multifamily Housing | Aug 23, 2023

Constructing multifamily housing buildings to Passive House standards can be done at cost parity

All-electric multi-family Passive House projects can be built at the same cost or close to the same cost as conventionally designed buildings, according to a report by the Passive House Network. The report included a survey of 45 multi-family Passive House buildings in New York and Massachusetts in recent years.

Regulations | Aug 23, 2023

Gas industry drops legal challenge to heat pump requirement in Washington building code

Gas and construction industry groups recently moved to dismiss a lawsuit they had filed to block new Washington state building codes that require heat pumps in new residential and commercial construction. The lawsuit contended that the codes harm the industry groups’ business, interfere with consumer energy choice, and don’t comply with federal law. 

Building Owners | Aug 23, 2023

Charles Pankow Foundation releases free project delivery selection tool for building owners, developers, and project teams

Building owners and project teams can use the new Building Owner Assessment Tool (BOAT) to better understand how an owner's decision-making profile impacts outcomes for different project delivery methods.

Vertical Transportation | Aug 17, 2023

Latest version of elevator safety code has more than 100 changes

A new version of ASME A17.1/CSA B44, a safety code for elevators, escalators, and related equipment developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, will be released next month.

Sustainability | Aug 15, 2023

Carbon management platform offers free carbon emissions assessment for NYC buildings

nZero, developer of a real-time carbon accounting and management platform, is offering free carbon emissions assessments for buildings in New York City. The offer is intended to help building owners prepare for the city’s upcoming Local Law 97 reporting requirements and compliance. This law will soon assess monetary fines for buildings with emissions that are in non-compliance.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021