Page 255 - Green Building Through Integrated Design

BIDDING AND NEGOTIATION 231

LEED PROJECT MANAGEMENT ISSUES
Now is the time to begin preparing our LEED “design phase” submittal, and there are
a number of questions that arise at this stage.

1 Are we fully prepared to submit our LEED design credits for certification review
prior to beginning construction?
2 Have we determined which LEED innovation credits we are going to pursue,
whether for exemplary performance or for achievements not presently covered by
the LEED rating system?
3 Do we have systems in place to secure those innovation credits?
4 Have we investigated “borrowing” credits from other LEED systems, such as ten-
ant build out guidelines, environmentally preferable purchasing policies, furniture
and furnishings purchases, green cleaning and green exterior maintenance, and
make them part of our operating policies going forward?

Bidding and Negotiation

Bidding and negotiation is an overlooked aspect of sustainable design projects; during
this phase, building owners, developers and design teams have to work with contrac-
tors to achieve overall sustainable objectives, within the context of the project budget
and the ease of construction. Often, in a public bid situation (more than a third of all
LEED-NC projects are for public agencies), it’s a good idea to devote a specific
amount of time at “pre-bid” conferences to the LEED project requirements, to ensure
that the bids will reflect the actual scope of work required from the contractor.

1 Have specifications and drawings provided enough detailed information to ensure
that contractors will bid the work based on its specified systems, rather than apply-
ing a general “green premium” to the job, owing to uncertainties?
2 Is there a procedure for identifying and recruiting local builders, suppliers, and
craftsmen that have experience and an interest in constructing green facilities?
3 Is there a procedure for informing potential bidders of the project’s environmental
priorities and goals (example: have we incorporated green program goals and expla-
nation of the LEED rating system into the pre-bid conference for contractors)?
4 Have the contractor selection criteria included evaluation of past participation and
performance in green construction projects?
5 Have we examined the bids to see that the sustainability programs and specific
green building measures are included?
6 Is there a procedure that encourages the bidders and/or the selected contractor(s) to
be a true participant in identifying alternative materials, systems, technologies,
and/or methodologies to help meet the project’s objectives during the construction
process?