Understanding Utility Coordination: Roles, Services, and Effective Collaboration Strategies
Utility coordination is essential in managing project specifics and ensuring seamless communication among utility owners. This presentation, led by Robert L. Clemens, Jr., Vice President of Cardno TBE, delves into various aspects of utility coordination, including calling One-Call, preparing utility schedules, conducting field reviews, and facilitating crucial meetings. It highlights the advantages and challenges of employing a consultant for effective utility management on Design-Build projects, emphasizing the importance of proper oversight and collaboration to enhance project outcomes.
Understanding Utility Coordination: Roles, Services, and Effective Collaboration Strategies
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Presentation Transcript
Consultant Utility Coordination Robert L. Clemens, Jr. Vice President
What is Utility Coordination? • Calling One-Call and collecting data? • Meetings? • Preparing utility schedules/plans? • Shuffling papers? • Staying on the phone most of the day? • Field reviews? • ALL OF THE ABOVE!
Consultant Utility Coordination Services • Kick-off meeting • Identify existing utilities • Make utility contacts • Exception coordination • Preliminary utility meeting • Individual utility/field meetings • Collect and review plans and data from utility owners
Consultant Utility Coordination Services • Subordination of easements coordination • Utility design meeting • Review utility markups/schedules and process • Utility Coordination/follow-up • Utility constructability review • Additional utility services
Consultant Utility Coordination Services • Processing utility work by Highway Contractor Agreements • Contract plans to utility owners • Certification/close-out
Utility Coordination Consultant’s Role • Subconsultant to the prime on project specifics/Design-Build projects • State/District-wide consultant • On-premises consultant
Subconsultant to the Prime • The client is the prime consultant • The prime’s client is the DOT • Adds level to organization but prime can hire a firm with an expertise in Utility Coordination • Handle all aspects of Utility Coordination as specified in the “Scope of Services” • DOT liaison at State/District level • Multiple clients/projects
State/District-Wide Consultant • Client is State/District Utility Office • Master contract for Utility Coordination services • Usually multi-year contract (standard is 1-3 years) • Negotiated rates • Task assignments per project • Scope and hours per project (negotiated) = fee • Projects on an as-needed basis
On-Premises Consultant • Client is State/District Utility Office/Design-Build Consortium • Master contract for Utility Coordination services • Multi-year contract (usually 1-3 years) • Negotiated rates • Task assignments per time period (i.e. 1-3 months) • Employees tied to that office solely • Employees take direction from DOT (an extension of their staff) • On-premises staff can work on multiple assignments
Pros and Cons of Consultant Utility Coordination • Reduced workload of DOT staff • Cost effective (negotiated rates and scope) • Oversight responsibilities only • Can use multiple consultants if necessary Pros: Cons: • Multiple firms to track • If consultant firm fails, DOT work will more than double (Hire someone who can do the job and do it well!) • Loss of direct control
Pros and Cons of Consultant Utility Coordination/Design-Build Consortium • Dedicated personnel working only on your projects • Staff without overhead costs • If employee does not work out, ask for another • If work increases/decreases, staff level can change • Full control of work assignments Pros: Cons: • Need enough work to keep them busy for 40 hours a week • Loss of identity for employee (Am I DOT or Company ABC?) • Employee loses tie to parent firm
Pros and Cons of Consultant Utility Coordination • If they are used to DOT coordinating, it will take time to adjust • DOT must be willing to cut the ties and give to consultant (utility owners will follow suit) • If DOT keeps interceding, consultant’s responsibility/authority will be undermined • When utility owners see the consultant acting on DOT’s behalf (with DOT’s support), it will then be business as usual
DOT’s use of Consultant Utility Coordination • On-premises: IL, FL • State/District-wide: IN, MI, IL, MD, PA, DE, NH, NY, AZ, NM, FL, GA, NC • Subconsultant to prime: IN, MI, IL, MD, PA, DE, NH, NY, AZ, NM,FL, GA, NC, SC • Design-Build projects: MN, MO, VA, TX (on-premises)
For questions regarding this presentation, feel free to contact: Robert L. Clemens, Jr. Vice President Cardno TBE Phone: (317) 585-3540 Cell: (317) 491-5716 Bob.Clemens@CardnoTBE.com