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
Codes and Standards | May 26, 2020
Architectural Reuse Council will step up efforts to reuse construction waste
Cabinets, appliances, lighting, and lumber diverted from landfills to be repurposed.
Codes and Standards | May 26, 2020
Is CLT really a green solution?
Sustainability depends upon forest stewardship, product manufacturing process.
Codes and Standards | May 20, 2020
St. Louis is first Midwest city to pass building energy performance standard
Allows owners broad flexibility on how to achieve goals.
Codes and Standards | May 20, 2020
Supreme Court says Georgia cannot copyright its entire official code
Ruling may have implications for other states claiming copyright for building codes.
Codes and Standards | May 18, 2020
Strategies to reduce personal contact in multifamily properties
Design can improve health amid COVID-19 pandemic.
Codes and Standards | May 18, 2020
Canada Green Building Council says building industry lacks zero-carbon skills, knowledge
Net-zero target requires shift in thinking and practices.
Codes and Standards | May 18, 2020
California’s grid can support all-electric buildings
Load-shifting will help reduce peak demand.
Codes and Standards | May 15, 2020
European cities to revamp transportation after pandemic reopening
Road closures, new rules for public transit will be imposed.
Codes and Standards | May 14, 2020
Washington State construction industry restart plan has three phases
In state with earliest COVID-19 cases, advisory group developing priorities based on risk.
Codes and Standards | May 14, 2020
More mass timber beam and column options available in the U.S.
Freres Lumber unveils new line of structural elements suitable for high-rise buildings.