Profile

OUR SERVICES include all of the necessary architectural and engineering functions necessary for the successful completion of your project:

• Pre-Project Site/Use Analysis
• Space Needs Analysis/Programming
• Schematic Design
• Design Development
• Construction Documentation
• Bidding Phase Management
• Construction Administration
• Post-Construction Services

Information Gathering. We will initiate the process by meeting with representatives from your company to listen and learn about exactly what it is you intend to accomplish. Our primary goal in this meeting is to clearly understand your needs in the greatest detail possible.

Subsequently, we will familiarize ourselves with the existing building conditions via a thorough on-site examination. Dimensions, details, and notes of the current facility will be gathered, and a base drawing will be generated. We will also collect and review all pertinent drawings available to us.

Schematic Design. With all the facts in hand, we will then generate a “first pass” concept, commonly known as a Schematic Design. This will be reviewed by your team to consider any additions, deletions or corrections. Those changes will be incorporated into the drawings for your approval prior to proceeding further.

Construction Documents. Now, with an approved Schematic Design, we will begin the Construction Documents which include technical drawings and specifications that will ultimately be used to bid and build the project. We will have a 50% review meeting with your team during this stage to continue to ensure that we are on the right path to meeting your needs. At 90% we will generate an Estimate of Probable Construction Cost. This and the drawings/specs will be reviewed with your team. Again, any additions, deletions or corrections will be made by us and approved by you prior to proceeding.

The completed Construction Documents will then be sent to the Building Department for plan review. That entity will examine the drawings to verify that the design is in compliance with the appropriate building codes. Once approved by them a Building Permit will be released to the selected contractor. Please note that the time frame for this can vary greatly with different municipalities. An average time frame would be approximately 3-4 weeks.

Bidding & Negotiation. During this time, we can assist you with the Bidding and Negotiation Phase. This phase is optional as you may wish to take this on yourself. However, if you want us to be involved here is what we would do for your company:

• Develop bid documents including an Advertisement for Bids which will be placed with the appropriate parties to inform contractors at large of this opportunity.
• Assist with developing a select list of contractors that we know and like, and that would be in your best interest to have on the bidders list. An option would be to abandon the general Advertisement for Bids and simply do a select list.
• Assist you with running a Pre-Bid walkthrough at the site for interested Bidders.
• Respond to all Requests for Information (RFIs) presented by the interested Bidders during the bidding period and prior to the Bid Opening.
• Prepare and Addenda as may be necessary to clarify issues for the Bidders during the bidding period and prior to the Bid Opening.
• Conduct the Bid Opening at your facility.
• Assist you with review of the submitted bids and the award of contract to the successful Bidder.
• Assist with the preparation of the Contract for Construction.

Construction Phase. Again, our services are optional for this portion of the work as you may wish to manage this yourself. However, if you feel you need assistance here is what we would do for your company:

• Attend and conduct the Kick-Off meeting between the Owner, Architect and Contractor (OAC).
• Respond to RFIs submitted by the Contractor during the construction.
• Review all product submittals presented by the Contractor during construction to verify compliance with the Construction Documents.
• Attend and conduct periodic OAC meetings held at the site. The frequency of this activity can vary from project to project. An appropriate schedule can be established at the Kick-Off OAC meeting.
• Review all Contractor Pay Requests to verify that the work completed conforms to the pay requested for any given period.
• Provide a semi-final walkthrough of the project in conjunction with your representative(s) once the Contractor feels that they have completed the work. We will produce a “punchlist” which itemizes those things we feel must be corrected prior to final approval. Once the Contractor has completed the work to satisfy this list, a final walkthrough will be conducted by us in conjunction with your representative(s).
• With a project completed to your satisfaction, we will assist with the filing of a Certificate of Substantial Completion

PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES:

• Sustainability is something McDA considers on every project with an emphasis on addressing these issues as part of the project programming and design phases. We will consider opportunities that may allow the design team to incorporate techniques such as passive solar, natural daylighting, a reduction of the conventional building energy budget, and the use of sustainable materials into the final design of the building. A focus on the sustainable character of the building has the potential to reduce both building energy consumption costs and maintenance and operations costs for the building while creating a very functional building.

• Energy Efficiency is also a priority of our mechanical and electrical consultants who have a strong working familiarity with improving this aspect of a building through the use of an integrated design process, life cycle costing, and the specification of energy efficient materials, systems and equipment. They are dedicated to providing creative and sound energy management choices for your project.

• Durability and Maintainability are extremely important parameters to consider in a facility of this type. Long-term maintenance and operation costs of a building are affected significantly by the adoption of project priorities and the allocation of project budget resources during the programming and design phases. There is no definitive list of materials and systems that will always be the most durable. For each project and building type products will need to be evaluated and decisions made regarding initial cost, operating costs, maintenance requirements, and compatibility with other systems in the building life-cycle costing. Based on our experience, and working closely with facility staff, we will evaluate critical issues such as the effects of the layout of building elements on staffing needs for security control, selection of finishes for maintainability and safety, and location of light fixtures for accessibility and security.

• Quality Control Procedures as a primary strategy for maintaining quality assurance comes from delivering each project via a proven project team with the architectural principal in charge maintaining a high degree of project decision-making authority. Strong, technically oriented people assist in producing the work and providing quality control input, but the project success relies on the authority, involvement and review of this principal in charge and project team leader. We involve the client at the start of a project to generate an accurate and mutually agreed upon scope of work and project program. This is an essential component in accomplishing the desired goals of the project. Periodic meetings with the client to review for compliance with the established program ensures that work performed stays on track with our client’s expectations.