Design and deliver. That's the concept behind Design-Build solutions. For capital projects, owners have traditionally only had the choice to complete their projects on a design-bid-build approach in which the lowest bidder is selected to perform the job based on a third-party's design solution. This approach has some weaknesses, mainly that the designer has no ultimate accountability for the construction phase of the project. Through design-build, however, the owner chooses a solutions provider who is responsible for architecture, engineering, construction and implementation. Studies have shown that in many cases there is a performance advantage over design-bid-build.

When selected as your design-build partner, ESCO will proceed with a two-part approach. Part 1 is preconstruction/design services and Part 2 is final design, installation, and commissioning. With this approach, we establish a fee for Part I services with no obligation on the installation portion. The installation decision is made based on the plans and pricing we provide under the Part 1 agreement. We understand these systems are critical to your operation and the selection of a provider can only be made when detailed information is available.

Rick Ford, ESCO's Vice President of Operations, is also president of the Great Lakes Region of the Design-Build Institute of America, or DBIA. Rick has extensive experience with both design-build and design-bid-build principles and practices and can help determine the best approach for your project. You can contact him at rick.ford@escocommunications.com. For more information on the Design-Build Institute of America, visit www.dbia.org.

Project Spotlight: Central Indiana Power

Chosen as the technology partner by Garmong Construction, ESCO was invited as a member of the project management team to complete a comprehensive renovation of Central Indiana Power in Greenfield, Indiana.

After designing the initial technology solutions, ESCO installed a variety of systems, including the data communications network, voice communications system, A/V systems in the boardroom and meeting rooms, paging and sound masking systems, information display systems, access control and fire alarm.