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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Also: Web-Based Project Management Tools
September 2001 • Issue No. 50 • Volume XVI • Number 2
Key Considerations
Owner’s Engineer and Design/Build
By Joseph Edge, Budapest, Hungary 36-309-964-971, joedge@attglobal.net
What should you consider before bidding as owner’s engineer on a project? This article provides valuable information for the successful OE’s role.
The owner’s engineer (OE) plays a vital part in ensuring the quality of the work in design/build projects. This is true in our international work, particularly in the developing countries where the OE may exert a greater influence and control over the project.

OE Responsibilities

In design/build (D/B) delivery, the contractor is usually responsible for the design or continuation of a partial design used for the bid and construction of the works. While very efficient in many respects, this type of project delivery requires objective review of the quality of the work from start to finish. The OE provides this essential service for the owner, reviewing all phases of the project, sometimes making approvals and certification and focusing on quality assurance of the work and the way in which it is delivered.

The OE may also be involved in the tender preparation, developing the preliminary base plans and specifications that serve as a basis for the construction bid. This arrangement can have an overall benefit because it lends a measure of continuity to OE work and eliminates problems that could arise later from misinterpretations of the tender documents.

Bidding Considerations

When bidding as OE for international D/B work, the following important considerations should be kept in mind because they may affect the success of the project.

Changes. Detailed plans and specifications are developed during the project so they are not available in the tender stage. Extensive changes to the work from what was envisioned originally are common. The OE may not have the benefit of contract documents on which to rely. Therefore, a demonstrated history of good engineering judgment and practice are pre-qualifiers for the OE.

Diverse Services. A wide range of services is often required. Depending on the type of work, the OE may be involved with engineering, legal, construction management, or program management issues. In addition, the OE is involved in every stage of the project. Specialization work may include planning studies, design reviews and construction inspection. The OE must have a number of professional resources to meet the many and varied project needs.

Schedules. Project schedules in D/B projects require high-levels of updating. Issues identified in the design may affect planned schedules, making it necessary for the OE to revise the planned deployment of resources. The OE must have the flexibility to deploy resources on an on-call basis.

Flexibility. The implementation of the OE work is not within the OE’s direct control because the work is dependent on the contractors activities. Therefore, technical specialists are used intermittently and must be available throughout the project.

Efficiency and Cost Controls. Companies looking for new international growth markets create a healthy, though challenging, competition for OE work. Financial proposals can have considerable weight in the selection process. The OE services must be delivered in a most efficient manner to meet the needs of the project, while not compromising good project financial performance.

Joe Edge is a professional civil engineer with experience in infrastructure and communication projects. He is PB’s project office manager in Budapest, Hungary.
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