As our government clients shift from design-bid-build to the design-build method of project implementation, ECC, a global engineering and construction contractor based in California, has responded with a plan to win and successfully execute design-build projects. A well developed strategy is always critical for success on design-build projects, but becomes even more critical in fast-paced, remote and potentially hostile environments, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, where available site information is often minimal and site access limited. In these locations, our clients’ mission-critical facility needs must be met under remote and hostile conditions in areas where quality labor, equipment and materials are challenging to obtain. Under these conditions, a strategy to quickly assess and gather needed information and develop an approach that can be effectively implemented and accurately priced is critical. ECC’s Design-Build Center of Excellence (DBCX) in San Antonio, Texas, lies at the heart of our strategy.
The majority of ECC’s design-build contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan are Department of Defense (DoD) task orders that require the development of a detailed technical proposal and an associated cost proposal. These submissions are structured on a conceptual design that must be generated in a very short period of time. In our experience, success is possible only when the complete team is focused on the solution and design product. It is at this critical stage of the process that our DBCX managers bring our team together, working with the proposal manager, project manager, architects, engineers, estimators, schedulers and representatives from other critical specialty areas.
DBCX provides the integration or “glue” between our team of architect/engineers (A-Es) and the construction execution arm that operates in distant locations and under extreme conditions. The DBCX team is made up of experienced engineers of various disciplines and architects who function as partners with our project managers on each design-build project. During the bid process, design integration managers are deployed to ECC teams in strategic locations to play the lead role in selecting the right local A-E partner for assignments. Once projects are won, this same team begins the design process and works to maintain contract compliance by meeting budget, schedule milestones and specific government objectives.
The ECC DBCX concept is functioning efficiently and is proving successful in both winning and executing design-build projects in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations worldwide. It is not our intent to function as a designer of record. We may provide engineering assistance, but will tap a local A-E to carry responsibility for the final design.
Project mobilization in hostile areas, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, includes establishing secure residential camps and guarding the project perimeter. Security during all phases, including transporting equipment and materials, is a critical part of most projects. ECC became known for two things in Iraq: Willingness to go where others wouldn’t and providing workable solutions to problems that arise during execution.
To get the job done, our project managers routinely work hand-in-hand with our sub-contractors providing instruction in unfamiliar construction techniques such as compacting fills or base courses, mixing and placing concrete and performing many other craft activities. Safety standards and processes are taught, starting with basics like wearing shoes and hard hats. Quality standards are established and achieved through continuous oversight and participation of the local and third-country nationals labor force.
A key factor for success in Iraq was applying integrated planning and execution methods to teaming with regional design, engineering and construction capabilities. This required working closely with local and regional A-E firms to produce workable conceptual and final designs. Depending on the client and end-user needs, projects were often designed and constructed to meet local standards, followed by teaming with and assisting subcontractors in developing bids, obtaining construction materials and finally performing the work. Our DBCX design managers focus on providing the integration of these key ingredients.
As we look toward the future, the U.S. military anticipates extensive deployment in Afghanistan. These operations will necessitate the planning, design and construction of military facilities for both Afghan and U.S. forces. Most of the work will be design-build.
While local construction companies are evolving, A-E capability is far more limited in Afghanistan than Iraq. Construction equipment is rare in Afghanistan, and materials are not readily available and often must be trucked across the country. Exacerbating these difficulties is a constant enemy threat. All of these factors make the design-build construction program in Afghanistan an exciting — yet demanding — challenge.
The question for all construction companies interested in this fast-moving program is: How to focus resources for success? ECC’s answer has been an integrated construction team approach that relies on DBCX to provide the planning and structure necessary throughout the project timeline; from winning the contract to executing the design-build project.
ECC provides worldwide construction and design-build services, as well as environmental and explosive ordnance removal, to government clients, primarily the United States Armed Services. We provide support to the U.S. military and its coalition partners around the globe, including remote and hostile areas in Iraq, Afghanistan and other challenging locations. Our execution strategy is supported with an aggressive training program for project, quality and safety managers and other support personnel, as well as robust and refined processes and computer-based programs to accommodate scheduling, project controls, cost estimating, project document controls, safety procedures, reporting and quality control. In all of these project management areas, we have been recognized by our government clients for providing exceptional service.
About the author: Dr. Charles Neubauer is the ECC DBCX integration manager. The DBCX is composed of seasoned registered engineering and design professionals hand selected for relevant industry experience in design and engineering as well as construction management and administration. The DBCX, with a current pool of 12 registered engineers (civil, mechanical, electrical, structural and geotechnical) and architects, supports DB programs worldwide for all ECC clients from its headquarters in San Antonio and offices in Virginia Beach, Burlingame and Afghanistan.