An Overview On Job Order Contracting

By Ann Kelly


The choice of project delivery method used for construction, renovation and rehabilitation projects has a great impact on the time and finance allocated for it. Since most of these developments are in phases such as design phase and construction phase, the processes involved and using Job Order Contracting as a delivery tool will improve on working relationships between the owner and the contractor and save on overall time.

Initially, the most common tool used traditional methods which usually involved the selection and awarding of design experts to come up with comprehensive designs then thereafter looking for construction services to deliver the final design that was developed. This process also known as design-bid-build method is efficient but brings out distance relationship between the people participating in the project.

Currently, more individuals have been drawn to job order contract that is more service oriented hence improving and promoting interactions among the participants in the design and construction phases. Its popularity is contributed to the fact that it is advantageous for proponents who have more facility developments for both public and private sectors allowing them to use the least amount of time and cost.

Since this tool allows the work to be done within a certain period of time, the cost expected to be incurred is a bit lower than other tools. The pricing of the contract is usually accurate and predictable estimation of costs which helps the client to have a precise budget that will run through the whole development up to its inception. Saving time and costs allows the project to run smoothly creating a better working relationship.

Another advantage of this tool is that it is the best option for individual who are looking to complete a number of small and medium sized plans that involve renovation and repair. The proponent usually identifies the task to be done, giving a brief description, desired expectation and a brief on the dates and time for the task to be performed. The proponent will then proceed to ask for a request for proposal which could include the design, work scope and price proposal.

Since this tool creates a good work relationship among the participants, the owner, designer and the contractor will work side by side in identifying characteristics and issues that will need to be checked on in order to provide the best economically means to perform the work. Site visits done by participants can help complete this task. This will then lead to the submission of the request for proposals for the owner to go through.

Using this tool also allows the proponent to have a number of activities to go on concurrently allowing time to be used efficiently. This however depends on the efficiency of the contractor selected. Proponents are therefore required to carry out a thorough background check of the company they are yet to contract, making sure they get evidence of their efficiency when it comes to service delivery.

Approvals of request for proposals has to be done carefully. This is due to the fact that there are a number of malicious individuals who are out to swindle money with the use of company names that do not exist. It is the duty of the owner to check on issues such as credibility, license, physical addresses, references and qualification documents of the company before they can get into contract with the company.




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