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Summary: The Systems Approach
6. A fourth party could become involved in the process, specifically in the
design activity, depending on the strategy chosen for implementation.
This fourth party is the building product manufacturer. If a sufficient
market can be aggregated and guaranteed, manufacturers can be
induced to bid on the basis of performance specifications, contributing
innovative product design particularly suited to the owner's special
requirements.
However, not only are such guarantees impractical within the
constraints of current federal funding policies and procurement
regulations, but new product development adds a significant amount of
time and effort to the design activity which must be well under way
before construction can begin. An alternate strategy, exemplified by
this project, is to develop a building system prototype design directly,
through more or less conventional A/E consultant procedures, utilizing
products already available. Manufacturers can then be expected to
respond later through their normal R & D programs when it becomes
evident that the VA will continue to construct hospitals within the
established context of the systems integration program.
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