Not every project needs the early involvement of contractors. But complicated mega projects demand imaginative and innovative approaches. These projects – new and expanded ports, major coastal protection and large reclamation areas in sensitive environments – require solutions which take advantage of the highest level of knowledge from all available resources. And one of these resources is the dredging contractor that will be doing the operational work.
Facts About Early Contractor Involvement addresses the questions which abound at the start-up and planning of mega projects such as:
– Is the construction operation feasible?
– Is the necessary equipment available?
– Is special equipment required or are standard techniques sufficient?
– What production rates can be achieved?
– How will the contract look, a separate contract – or several subcontracts?
– And of course, what are the estimated costs?
Often this type of information must be included in the owner/client’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and permitting applications. And in some cases the EIA application may require even more operational details, such as how a project will be executed, what the dredging periods (windows) will be, how much spill can be anticipated, what the environmental consequences may be and what kinds of control measures, including monitoring, will be initiated. Without input from the contractor, some of these questions cannot seriously be answered.
In fact, lacking technical information from contractors can lead to less than optimal performance and when that happens the reputation of the construction industry in general is harmed: The public’s perception (and the clients’) may be that time schedules are not trustworthy, budgets are running wild, technical solutions are failing more often than not and the government, the authority and the industry just seem to have difficulty getting it right.
Involving contractors early on helps forecast project results with more certainty. It should prepare all parties to jointly solve problems, address unknowns in difficult environments and avoid or resolve conflicts more effectively. The aim of this Facts About Early Contractor Involvement is to make this process work, to ensure that all parties understand what is needed to execute a project efficiently and cost-effectively and that all parties understand each other’s risks and shared responsibilities.
Other Facts About in the series are: Site Investigations, Turbidity, Alliance Contracts, Procurement, Environmental Impact Assessments, Surveying, Soil Improvement, Dredged Material as a Resource, Dredging Management Practices for the Environment, Deltas and Climate Change, Confined Disposal Facilities, Environmental Monitoring, Building with Nature, Dredging Around Coral Reefs and International Maritime Conventions.
IADC stands for “ International Association of Dredging Companies ” and is the global umbrella organisation for contractors in the private dredging industry. As such IADC is dedicated to not only promoting the skills, integrity and reliability of its members, but also the dredging industry in general. IADC has over a hundred main and associated members. Together they represent the forefront of the dredging industry.
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Source: iadc-dredging, September 20, 2011;