Existing Systems Overview
y y The absence of construction input into the project design
may limit the opportunities for building in efficiencies that
can reduce the cost and duration of the work. Important
design decisions affecting both the types of materials
specified and the means and methods of construction may
be made without full consideration from a construction
perspective.
y y Technological and programmatic obsolescence could
become a problem since this is a very large, long lasting
project. This is mitigated somewhat by constructing the
project in phases. However, changing technologies and
the deployment of such technology by FPL, AT&T, and/
or Comcast during the construction process will put the
Town at a disadvantage when negotiating these changes
into the contract if and when they occur.
y y This method can require additional Town staff
for construction oversight, coordination, and
communications.
7.2.1.1 DBB Contracting and Procurement Methods
There are several types of contracting methods that can be
used under the DBB project delivery type. A very common
approach is the lump sum, or fixed price bid. This is
commonly used in the vertical construction industry or for
any project where quantities are not easily measured. The
TOWN-WIDE UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES PROGRAM
MASTER PLAN DOCUMENT
Town is accustomed to this method as well as the unit-price
method, which is commonly employed in the horizontal
construction industry. A complication that can arise in the
administration of construction for undergrounding projects
is the quantification of the extensive number of conduits of
varying sizes that will be installed under the project. For this
reason, the electrical undergrounding contracting industry
is more accustomed to the fixed price, or lump sum bid,
approach to procuring this type of work. This approach also
shifts the responsibility for quantification to the contractor
which reduces the Town’s risk of quantity overruns (or under
runs and the claim for lost profits) that may have occurred
under a unit price approach for the same work.
The Town’s procurement policy allows for the pre-
qualification of contractors prior to accepting a sealed bid
for any given project. This allows the Town to independently
review the qualifications of a particular contractor for a given
type of work. Pre-qualification provides the Town with a
greater degree of confidence that the contractor is properly
experienced, financially sound, and has the proper resources
to perform a given project. Once a set of pre-qualified
contractors are in place, a sealed bid can be requested from
them for a specific project. The lowest responsive, responsible
bidder would then be awarded the work.
PROJECT DELIVERY METHODS | 63