760
Special Procedures
761
ACCELERATED SCHEDULING
761.1
THE PRINICIPLE OF "FAST-TRACK"
To obtain the earliest possible construction start, not only must funding be
provided sooner than current practice permits, but bidding must proceed
before completion of all contract documents, in fact, before the building is
completely designed. This technique is known as "fast-track", and is
commonly used in private construction, but is usually precluded in public
work by elaborate approval procedures and safeguard measures. (See
Figure 760-1.)
Obviously, this approach requires early commitment to certain key
decisions which cannot be reversed subsequently without serious loss of
time and resources. Some of the opportunities for second thoughts which
are inherent in conventional design and construction must be foregone.
This discipline has a secondary payoff, however: many detailed decisions
which had to be made years before they could be put into effect can now
be postponed until immediately prior to their implementation, thus
providing a powerful hedge against obsolescence.
761.2
BIDDING PROCEDURES
761.2.1
Unit Prices
If construction is to start prior to completion of all contract documents,
bidding must proceed in some manner different from current VA practice.
In theory, general construction contractors could provide single lump sum
bids for an entire project based on the following documents:
1. Schematic or preliminary drawings of the whole building. Complete
specification for all work.
2. Working drawings for site work and foundations.
3. Estimated takeoffs (quantity surveys) and standard details for all other
work.
Sub-contractors' bids would be translated into unit prices guaranteed
within a specified range of the bid quantity and subject to a specified
escalation rate.
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