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ENGINEERING YOUR SUCCESS 11 SECTION DPROJECT APPROACH & UNDERSTANDING reductions with minimal reduction in system features and performance. Proposed system alternatives are included in the construction documents to allow competitive bidding to incorporate their actual cost values as part of the bid process. Continuing services projects are almost always retrofit or renovation projects, and generally include unforeseen issues regardless of the degree of detail to which the original scope is set. Only a well-defined scope agreed upon by the City and OCI will help the project be accomplished without requests for Change in Services and unforeseen cost occurrences. ANALYSIS OF EXISTING SYSTEMS OCI is experienced in analyzing the existing systems having worked with many Continuing Services clients over the last 30 years. When it comes to analyzing systems, chillers, air handling units and control system replacements are probably 70% of the work we do under continuing services. OCI will perform a detailed site inspection of the existing conditions as well as complete a thorough review of the existing documents prior to any new design efforts. The verification efforts will include field measurements of all equipment locations and duct connections. Most air handling replacement projects include their challenges such as limited accessibility and it is not uncommon to have to modify walls and openings to accommodate equipment removal and replacement. An evaluation of the existing system is necessary to determine the original design intent and aid in the development of the new design. Air balance and proper ventilation rates must be maintained and many times deficiencies of existing systems are easily corrected on an air handling unit replacement project. In addition, new codes can have vastly different ventilation requirements from the original design and it is important to include the necessary capacity and make the adjustments required to the inlets and exhaust systems accordingly. The programming of the spaces, both current and projected future, shall be evaluated to ensure the capacity is there without radical system adjustments in the future. AS BUILT DRAWINGS (AUTOCAD/BIM/REVIT DRAWINGS) OCI will provide Engineers Review and CAD input of Contractor As-Built Drawings so City has an accurate record of the project. PERFORM ELEVENTH MONTH WARRANTY INSPECTION We understand the importance of longevity for the systems we design for you and the integral part that the contractor’s warranty period and processes play. OCI will proactively monitor the performance of the project’s systems throughout the warranty period. Proactive monitoring helps identify any installation deficiencies that need to be addressed by the contractor to ensure they are resolved, and the building is functioning as intended at the end of the warranty period. We also facilitate a walkthrough with all stakeholders and the contractor within one month of the closeout of the warranty period. Most importantly, even after the warranty period is over should a need arise, OCI will be there to assist you. It is our team’s goal to always be an extension of your facilities team. COST MANAGEMENT AND COST ESTIMATING RESOURCES The cost estimating function begins at the start of the project and continues throughout the design with the level of detail increasing as the design progresses towards 100% completion. OCI keeps records of project system costs including costs for system options so that the order of magnitude construction costs can help in making design decisions that stay within the project budget. As in all other aspects of OCI’s professional services, the City is kept abreast of all cost information as it develops so any cost that might impact project decisions is made known at the earliest possible time. When budget constraints are very tight, OCI suggests reasonable alternatives to the system design that will retain the project’s overall objectives but provides cost reductions with minimal reduction in system features and performance. Proposed system alternatives are included in the construction documents to allow competitive bidding to incorporate their actual cost values as part of the bid process BUDGET AND COST CONTROL A reasonable budget for both parties is possible when the project team works together to create a well-defined scope with alternatives to avoid change orders. OCI’s team identifies alternatives for costs savings in the event the intended scope becomes challenging to construct within the City’s budget. We meet with the City’s project team to determine and prioritize alternatives, especially for project elements that may be difficult to define at the time. The goal is to provide the City with an efficient system that meets the project’s needs and budget. Cost control begins with the scope development and continues through the construction phase. OCI’s team keeps records of project system costs and alternatives, to ensure that the School knows the magnitude of the construction costs and can make decisions that keep the project within the City’s budget.