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BID PROCESS

 

FCS will work with the architect and the Client to compile an Instruction to Bidders for the bid.  FCS will prepare and manage pre-bid job meetings for all construction companies interested in bidding on the project.  FCS will also be the point of contact for all pre-bid RFIs and subsequent addenda which may need to be issued.

 

CONTRACTOR SELECTION PROCESS  

 

FCS will assist in the review of contractor proposals with the Client and assist with Contractor selections.  FCS will ensure proper scope coverage, equalization of responses, and conduct contractor interviews if needed.

 

CONTRACT EXECUTION AND NOTICE TO PROCEED  

 

FCS will assist the Client in the negotiation of contract terms, conditions, and execution of the contract with selected General Contractor.

 

PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING

 

The pre-construction meeting is one of the most important meetings a project will have.  It is the stage which gives a clear understanding of the requirements and expectations of the contractor, the CM firm and the Client. 

 

PROCEDURES MANUAL / CONTRACTORS GUIDELINE MANUAL  

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FCS will use both the design documents, Division 1, the general conditions, as well as the construction contract to develop a thorough manual which will outline the procedures and guidelines for the project from pre-construction and construction through closeout and owner  occupancy.  

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CONSTRUCTIBILITY REVIEW  

 

Significant cost savings and reductions in change order rates can be accomplished through properly conducted constructibility reviews. To that end, concurrent with the bidding and Notice to Proceed.  FCS will provide comments on contract drawings and specifications in the following: reasonableness of work sequence, comprehensiveness and completeness of contract documents, level of coordination of documents, lead issues, site coordination, restrictions and adequacy of access.

 

FCS conducts these reviews to improve the quality of the documents and the project. We will work closely with the AOR and their design team to review the project’s design and specifications to ensure a successful project.

 

VALUE ENGINEERING  

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Value Engineering is an important process that FCS will use to achieve increased project value, reduce the construction schedule, and ultimately reduce the cost of a project.  Preferably, the best time to perform this exercise is during the design development stage. There are, however, ways to deliver additional value through the course of a project without adverse effect to the ultimate goals of the overall plan.

 

PRE CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE 

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FCS will assist in managing the pre-construction and construction activities using an additional Pre-Construction Schedule to include the milestones for deliverables in order to maintain the momentum of the project as specified by the Client.  During the pre-construction phase of the project‘s schedule, FCS will provide comments on how realistic the contractor’s schedule is, and how consistent that schedule is when compared to the Client’s goals and objectives. This Pre-Construction Schedule will then be modified and used during construction to keep the project on task, and on time.

 

SWING SPACE/MOVE MANAGEMENT

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Often, renovation projects require a "Musical Chairs" scenario to take place when staff must be relocated while construction and renovations are completed.  FCS has performed these services on a number of projects and feel it is best to have “Move Management Meetings” with a set schedule for a clear understanding of how and when the moves will take place to eliminate any disruption or surprises.

    

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES

 

FCS is committed to delivering safe, professional and top-quality construction management services above the industry standards, and focuses on providing a greater value service to the project team by specializing in complete ‘turn-key’ CM services.

 

Once the construction begins, FCS will maintain the responsibility of keeping the project on track and apprising the Project Team of cost and scheduling status on a regular basis. 

 

Our Construction Management Team will conduct and document weekly meeting which will include the design team and contractors to make sure all pertinent issues are being addressed so the project is not held up in any way.  During these meeting we will issue prior meeting minutes, RFI logs, change order logs, submittal logs and 3 week rolling schedules prepared by the contractor so we can track their progress versus the master construction schedule.  We will provide the assistance as outlined in the RFQ regarding reporting and documenting and will serve as the Client’s designated representative.

 

PROJECT CONTROL

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FCS will monitor and coordinate all activities performed onsite by the general contractor.  We will maintain a part-time onsite construction manager (CM) to be the interface with the contractor and to make sure work is being performed in a safe and efficient manner.  The CM will be onsite observing and documenting the activities that take place.

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We will schedule and conduct weekly (or bi-weekly, depending on the project) OAC meetings which will allow the team to regularly and jointly discuss topics like schedule, budget, changes, submittal and RFIs.  We will take meeting minutes and distribute them to all the appropriate personnel both electronically and physically.

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FCS will verify that all shop drawings are checked for consistency and proper coordination; confirm that all product samples are correct, as well as certify any other submittal.  Using the owner’s designated management, we will be the conduit between the contractor and the design team. It will be the standard expectation of the team to have copies available for each OAC meeting: current submittal, RFI and change order logs, for all to review (and subsequently comment on), as needed.

 

 

Similar to the submittal process we will be the conduit between the contractor and the design team on all RFIs and use appropriate PM software to track all RFIs.  Prior to submitting all RFIs to the design team, we will review them to make sure they are valid questions and make sure they are understood by the design team for a quick turnaround.  We feel our job is to limit the number of RFIs during a project.

 

SCHEDULE MANAGEMENT  

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Overall success for any construction project is found in the project schedule.  We communicate through a series of development, monitoring and updating procedures which will keep the project team readily informed and on track.  Our Construction Manager will prepare a master schedule with input from the Client, Design Team and any other pertinent team members. We believe in putting particular emphasis on major construction elements because they have the most positive impact on the overall construction cost, as well as schedule.

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We will use a Critical-Path-Method of programming for the overall project schedule which will include pre-construction, construction, owner fixture/furniture/equipment installation, commissioning and closeout.  By creating a detailed schedule which includes a detailed costs of activities we can help the Client with cash flow projections.

 

SAFETY PROGRAM

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FCS believes that safety is the most essential aspect to any construction project.  Safety is important because it protects the lives, health and happiness of staff and their families, our customers, and members of the general public.  There is no greater way to demonstrate genuine respect for people than to protect them from injury. No injuries or accidents on a project equates to no potential delays or interruptions in meeting the project’s schedule.

 

 

All the project safety requirements, will meet or exceed OSHA standards, and will be included in the procedure manual.

 

QUALITY CONTROL

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FCS has determined the best way to achieve the owner’s project quality requirements, is to establish that the Contractor understands the expectations of the Client from the start.  This is why we meet prior to any work commencing on-site. Once a clear understanding of the expectations is made, the contractor then takes ownership of those expectations. We work with them throughout the submittal process; from material being delivered onsite, through the installation.  This assures better quality and equates to a shorter punch list.

 

PROGRESS MONITORING AND REPORTING

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Compliance with the project schedule will be regularly monitored through a combination of daily walks, daily reports, weekly meetings and monthly reviews.  Any schedule threat that is introduced into the acceptable progress of the project will be aggressively dealt with. For complex issues that arise which involve multiple activities, a game plan will be worked out to overcome any anticipated efforts.

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We believe in transparency.  Monthly progress reports will be created and distributed which will include major issues, schedule and budget updates, as well as work performed and upcoming work on the project.   Having a monthly report is an advantageous means of keeping all parties briefed and accountable for their actions. An open line of communication with the entire project team by means of this monthly report is vitally important.

 

COST CONTROL  

 

Throughout the project, FCS will not only monitor all the costs incurred, but also actively control them.  We will assume that the Client team has prepared an estimate for the project and we will use that in addition to our own estimating methodology to make sure the assumptions about the project match the actual costs.

 

CHANGE ORDER CONTROL  

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In order to minimize change orders during construction FCS takes a proactive role working with the design team and the owner, prior to a project bidding.  Because we believe in front-end estimates, constructibility review, value engineering and transparent schedules, this method often times allows for potential issues with the construction documents to be identified in a timely manner.

 

ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING CAPABILITY  

 

FCS uses PM software as our job cost, forecasting system and scheduling tool to control and report on all activities during construction.  This software allows for custom reports which can be generated to meet the owner’s needs.

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POST CONSTRUCTION AND COMMISSIONING 

 

CONSTRUCTION COMPLETION AND PROJECT TURNOVER  

 

FCS' approach from groundbreaking through close-out, is that each element of the project should be treated as a work activity and must be scheduled and executed as such.  

 

During the project closeout and turnover phase, we will schedule each necessary in-service training for the Client, Administrative and Maintenance staff so they are familiar with, and understand, how to operate and maintain all newly installed equipment.  

 

We also work closely with the General Contractor to make sure the necessary warranty documentation is compiled in an organized binder (or electronically compiled) for easy owner access and use.

 

Complete and accurate as-built drawings are one of the most important parts of the closeout process. From concrete, steel and drywall, to the MEP as-builts, we will work closely with the GC to verify the documents which are turned over are not only compete, but also accurate.  Once complete, both electronic and paper format will be turned over to the Client.

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