CR 91-52 Construction Management Concept
,
,
4It February 28, 1991 Council Report: 91-52
AUTHORIZE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT CONCEPT -
MAINSTREET RECONSTRUCTION
Proposed Action.
staff recommends the following motion: Move that council
authorize staff to incorporate a construction management
concept in the biddinq and construction phases of the
proposed reconstruction of Mainstreet.
Overview.
From the outset of this project staff has pondered the
implementation of construction management as a tool ln
directing and controlling project activities, especially
those relating to bidding and construction. What follows is
a detailed discussion of what staff perceives as a viable
alternative to the standard approach to public works
projects.
4It Primary Issues to Consider.
o The pros and cons of construction management
o Alternatives for managing the Mainstreet project
o Recommended approach for the Mainstreet project
Supportinq Information.
o Bid scenario
o Updated project schedule
~ rL ,
; ..fJe-r-.M....- Le....-
ames Gessele
Engineering Superintendent
4It
. Analysis.
0 Pros of Construction Management
These are listed with the management of the construction process
commencing near the time that the detailed design process is ending.
1- Greater control of the project budget during the construction
process.
2. Lower direct bids because the contractors are bidding directly to
the owner and not to a general contractor. The category of bidding
areas relates to the number of bids that the city will receive and, to
some degree, the lower cost. In some cases, the general contractor
may have the low bid on a job compared to the other general
contractors; however, in the various categories of the project, he
may be higher than someone else. By having more bid packages, this
situation is minimized.
3. Bidding competition is heightened on the project by having more
bidding categories because more subcontractors will typically be
involved in submitting a bid. There are general contractors that only
solicit two or three bids on a project. They do not allow "open"
bidding to them on the project; even though, the City fosters "open"
. bidding and competition on the project through their bid advertisement
process.
4. Greater flexibility in controlling the schedule during the
construction stage because all the major contractors will contract
directly with the city. The construction manager can direct the flow
of work more directly because he does not have to work through a
general contractor. with the fear of the businesses along Mainstreet
to scheduling problems and loss of access, there is reasonable need to
address the project scheduling issues with a review of the available
construction management techniques.
5. There generally will be a reduced fee because the fees to manage
the construction work will be less than the markup of the general
contractor.
6. Greater flexibility and reduced overhead costs with change orders
on the job because the city relates with each of the contractors and
can communicate with them directly about the necessary changes without
delaying the work.
7. The increase in the number of bidding packages allows the
contractors reduced bonding without jeopardizing guarantees associated
with the project. Each contractor only bonds for his portion of the
work.
e 8. The city may more easily be able to buy materials directly
avoiding one level of taxation where general contractors pay taxes on
materials supplied by the subcontractors.
. 9. Because the contracts are with a number of contractors, partial
payments from the city are more timely to the contractors than when
they must wait for the general contractor to make their payment.
0 Cons of Construction Management
1. Since each of the contracts with the individual contractors is
with the City, there is more liability on the City's part to accept if
problems occur on the job relative to scheduling, quality issues or
others. A "domino effect" can occur when delays and claims are made
by one contractor that affects the others. The City is assuming the
role of the general contractor, thus has the responsibility to
coordinate the work activities.
2. There is a lot of experience with the construction management
technique in the building trades division; however, there is not a
significant level of experience with this method in the public project
arena such as those projects similar to Mainstreet.
3. On the Mainstreet project the construction manager will have
little impact on cost control measures during the design phase. Thus,
the main role will be budget and schedule control in the construction
e phase. Additional costs for the Construction Management (CM) service
should reflect this reduced role compared to normal CM experiences.
In fact, the CM should be tied directly to the project inspection,
survey staking, project engineering and public relations on this
project. Work activity duplication should be eliminated.
4. Some contractors will not be in favor of this bidding concept,
particularly the large contractors who may wish to serve as the
general contractor on the project.
0 Alternatives for Managing the Mainstreet Project
There are two basic alternatives presented within this report: a
Construction Management Proposal and a Project Management Proposal
that employs portions of the construction management techniques. A
third option is briefly described within the second alternative. Each
of these alternatives are described briefly in this section of the
report including comments on the scope of services and the
organization of the alternative. Cost estimates in the form of
percentages of the $3.0 million construction cost for the
implementation of each of the alternatives are estimated.
e
-
It 1. Construction Management Proposal
Under this alternative, the Construction Manager would be placed on
the team as soon as is possible to assist in the formulation of
bidding strategies and review of potential cost saving techniques. It
is estimated ten or more contracts for bidding purposes would be
formed using the construction management approach. The following
outline indicates the organization of the construction team, the role
each entity would play, and a cost estimate for the services that are
presented.
Construction Manager --- There would be a construction manager
assigned to the project and an assistant to the construction manager.
3.5%
Project Superintendent and Inspector --- This would include two
people that are highly skilled in managing construction projects. 4.0%
Project Design Engineer/Landscape Architect --- Professionals
knowledgeable of the detailed design aspects of the project would be
used to check on the implementation of the design by the contractor
forces. They would be used on an "on call" basis as problems occur
during the project duration. 1. 0%
e Survey Staking --- All of the construction staking through the
duration of the project. 1. 5%
soils Engineering --- This service would be bid by the Construction
Manager to insure fair and equitable services are achieved. 0.5%
Total Estimated Percentage 10.5%
A diagram of the organizational relationship is shown below:
City of
Hopkins
Construction Project Engineer
Manager Landscape Architect
project Superintendent
I " I I
Soils Engineer Inspectors Survey Staking
e I I I I
Contractor Contractor Contractor Contractor
. 2. proiect Management Proposal
The primary difference between this alternative and the previous
IIConstruction Manager" plan is the consolidation of the construction
management position with the project management and the project
superintendent in one organization and with more of the
responsibilities for project control with the project superintendent.
The reduced responsibilities of the Construction Manager would be
handled jointly by a part time Project Manager and the Project
Superintendent. Because of the consolidation there would be a slight
cost reduction.
This plan would still involve multiple contractor bidding; however,
the bid packages would probably involve less bidding intensity than
the previous alternative where a full time construction manager is
employed. An attachment is included with this report which indicates
a possible bid scenario where there may be as many as five or six
contractual packages. All contracts and bonds are written directly
with the City as they would be in the previous proposal.
Project Manager --- A part time construction manager would be
assigned to the project to assume the administration and coordination
responsibilities of the project. 0.5%
e Project Superintendent and Inspectors --- Two full time people would
be employed in these roles to manage the project on a daily basis. At
the highly active periods of construction a third person may assist in
the inspection role. 5.0%
Project Design Coordination --- Professionals who would coordinate
the design plans and specifications with the contractors under the
direction of the project superintendent on an lias needed" basis would
be used for this function. 1. 0%
Survey Staking --- Survey needs for the duration of the construction
project as directed by the project superintendent. 1.5%
Soils Engineering --- This service would be bid by the City at a
later date to insure a fair and equitable service/cost relationship.
0.5%
Total Estimated Percentage 8.5%
.
. A diagram of the organizational relationship is shown below:
city of
Hopkins
1 , I
Project Manager Project Project Engineer
Superintendent Landscape Architect
, I I
Soils Engineer Inspectors Survey Staking
I I I I
Contractor Contractor Contractor Contractor
3. General Contractor Approach
Under the second alternative shown above the project could be
e rearranged and bid to one general contractor. A similar
organizational chart would be used. A difference would be that the
Project Superintendent would be a Senior Project Inspector. There
would be a potential to realize approximately a 1.0 to 1.5% savings.
This concept is the standard manner of bidding public works projects.
In most cases it is the preferred method of bidding and managing the
project because most of the work will be completed by the general
contractor. In the Hopkins Mainstreet reconstruction project there
will be several different subcontractors needed to complete the
project. Like most other public works projects, there will be a
dominant contractor on the Mainstreet project.
0 Recommended approach for the Mainstreet project
It is recommended that alternative #2, the Project Manageament
concept, be used on the Mainstreet reconstruction project. There are
three primary reasons for this recommendation:
1. There is a slight cost savings indicated by using this
alternative instead of the construction management approach,
approximately 2.0%.
. 2. Because the project design stage is nearly completed and
construction bidding is scheduled to occur within the next 60 days,
the construction management alternative will not have much of an
effect on the bidding success of the project over that of the project
manager approach.
. 3. The two biggest concerns on this project are the schedule which
relates to control of the contractors and public relations. These
concerns can be best handled by the alternative #2 organizational
structure and by placing an office directly on Mainstreet during the
duration of the project.
In the final analysis, the city should realize project cost savings of
5-10% when compared to the traditional general contractor approach.
This estimate is predicated upon the City's finance office pegging its
overhead fees (administration/legal) at 10%.
Should Council concur with this recommendation, staff can proceed to
direct its consultant engineer to compile bid documents that reflect
the thrust of the recommended project management concept. Staff can
also proceed soliciting scope of services proposals from interested
firms specializing in construction management. staff would examine
the proposals and make a recommendation; a subsequent final
designation could be made by the Council before the projected April 12
bid opening.
.
.
. BID SCENARIO
HOPKINS MAINSTREET RECONSTRUCTION
CONSULTANTS OFFICE MAINSTREET OFFICE MAINSTREET OFFICE
PROJECT ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PUBLIC RELATIONS
SOILS ENGINEER PROJECT INSPECTION PUBLIC INFORMATION
SURVEY & STAKING
COORDINATION OF CITY
PW FORCES
SCHEDULING
UTILITIES CONTRACTOR SIGNALS/LIGHTING ROAD CONTRACTOR
CONTRACTOR
Storm sewer Electrical Wiring Materials removal
Sanitary sewer Conduit placement Subgrade construction
. Watermain Refurbishment of Bituminous placement
poles & fixtures Private parking lot
Base construction and setback restoration
Placement of Hardware Pavement marking
STREET FURNITURE AMENITIES CONTRACTOR CONCRETE CONTRACTOR
Hardware purchase & Salvage amenities Concrete curb & gutter
installation Place new trees Sidewalks
Planters Place landscaping Brick pavers
Trash receptacles Bus Plaza relocation Bus plaza bases
Benches Drinking Fountain Driveway aprons
Kiosks Miscellaneous concrete
Clock Tower
.
. Project Schedule
The schedule that is presented in the following section has been
updated from the past schedules and contains the current information
on the project effort.
March 12, 1991................Informational meeting at City hall on
the Project design
March 19......................city Council receives final design
plans, specifications, cost estimate and
orders advertisement for bids
March 20 and 22...............First Ad for Bids appears in the local
newspaper and the Construction Bulletin
April 12......................Bids are opened and tabulated
April 16......................Bid tabulations are presented to the
. City Council and the assessment hearing
is scheduled
May 21........................Chapter 429 Assessment Hearing
June..........................Preconstruction meetings are held by the
Construction Management Team
June 25.......................Council adopts assessment roll and
various construction contracts are
awarded to the lowest responsible
bidders by the City Council
June 21 through June 30.......Raspberry Festival in downtown Hopkins
July 8........................Construction commencement between 5th
Avenue and 11th Avenue
November 15...................Completion of construction in segment #3
June, 1992....................Placement of the wear course of
bituminous in the segment #3 area
June 30.......................Substantial completion of the portion of
the project between 11th Avenue and 17th
. Avenue
October.......................Construction completion of the
Mainstreet project between 5th Avenue
and Shady Oak Road
-