August 2006 - MILCON Transformation
posted by Larry J SmithSubmitted by: Larry J. Smith, P.E.
Introduction
The Corps of Engineers is facing an unprecedented demand to deliver facilities in a more cost and time efficient manner as a result of re-stationing of troops and the closing of many existing bases.
To meet this demand the Corps will transform the way it delivers completed projects by using design-build construction of facilities using the International Building Codes.
QC Organization Responsibilities
The contractor will provide a Quality Control System Manager to oversee the CQC Organization. The contractor will also provide a Design Quality Control Manager to ensure all services required by the D-B Contract are performed and provided in a manner that meets professional architectural and engineering quality standards. The contractor’s design firm will appoint, for each design discipline, a “Designer of Record” (DOR). The DOR(s) shall be responsible for maintaining the integrity of the design and for compliance with the contract requirements through construction and documentation of the as-built condition. The Quality Control Organization will be responsible to ensure the design and construction of the project are in compliance with the solicitation, and the codes and standards referenced in the RFP.
Government Quality Assurance
QA is the system by which the Government verifies that the Contractor’s Quality Control System is working effectively and in this case, the RFP requirements are being complied with.
The Resident Engineer will be responsible for managing the design review process. Corps of Engineers Plan Reviewers will conduct design reviews for compliance with the RFP, Codes and Standards. Most all submittals will be for information only, unless required by the Resident Engineer.
The construction documents will generally be looser and more commercially fluid than QA’s and Project Engineers are accustomed to. With the understanding that designs provided meet the codes and referenced standards oversight will focus on compliance with the RFP and the accepted design documents.
Knowledge of the Codes’ requirements is not something that can be acquired by training only. Most of the knowledge and understanding of the codes will be acquired along the way, with periodic QA inspections. There will be a period of learning for all involved. In other words, on the-job-training will be required.
Risk Based QA
The Resident Engineer will determine which QC inspections their staff will attend based upon risk based analysis. The QA process will be one of evaluating and checking on the effectiveness of the contractor’s CQC system and doing selective verification inspections of the actual work. Selective verification inspections will follow a checklist of minimum items requiring verification similar to City or County code inspections.
The basic concept is to perform QA verifications before anything is covered. Risk based Quality Assurance has been used by many Resident Engineers in the past as they make decisions based upon workload and risk they are willing to take.
Summary
MILCON Transformation is moving fast and has many contractors and QA personnel facing a new way of performing construction management. A series of training programs have been developed to prepare QA personnel with knowledge in IBC Code Requirements and Design-Build Construction. Resident Engineers should be reviewing training needs and planning for the increase in workload that is not upon us.
I invite your comments or experience with MILCON Transformation in the comments field below.