Contracting for Commissioning ServicesA Priority for Facility Owner’s and Program Managers

Matt Ferreira, CxA, LEED APOctober 14, 2008

Establishing The Requirement

• Owner’s Policy – Internal Quality Assurance Program– Green Buildings – LEED™ Certification– Federal Facility Requirement– State / County / Municipality Code

Section I:Defining the Commissioning

Scope of Work

When Will Commissioning Start

– Project Conception – Design Phase– Construction Phase– Post-Occupancy

Select Systems To Be Commissioned– Mechanical: HVAC, Controls, Plumbing, Fire

Protection – Electrical: Switchgear, Transformers, DPB, Lighting,

Standby Power– Specialty Systems: Fire Alarm, Security, Telecom /

Data, Curtain Wall, Thermal Envelope, Renewable Energy, Rainwater Harvesting, etc.

– Computerized Maintenance Management System

Factors to Consider When Budgeting

– Systems Selected to be Commissioned– Level of Commissioning Rigor– Total Construction Costs– Geographical Region

Section II:Request for Qualifications

Who is the solicitation open to?

– Third Party Independent Commissioning Firms– Architect / Engineering Team– Construction Management Team

Announcing the Solicitation

– Owner’s Procurement Department, i.e. Design and Construction RFQ/RFP website

– Association Websites, Newsletters– Existing Industry Relationships

Owner Desired Qualifications

– Experience Commissioning Comparable Projects– Direct Experience Writing Commissioning Work

Products– Other Valuable Experiences: Designer, CM, Operator,

Project Manager– Association Membership and Certification

Section III:Request for Proposals

How Will Commissioning Be Procured

– Just Design Phase– Design w/ Option for Construction– Design Thru Construction– Design Thru Post-Occupancy*

• Receiving Quality Proposals

– Requires Owner Provided Project Details• Location, Size, Building Type, Schedule, Construction Costs,

LEED™ Certification• Systems To Be Commissioned• Terms and Conditions

– Answering Questions / Pre-proposal Meetings– Limit The Size of Proposal– Emphasis on Key Individuals and Approach

Section IV:Selecting the Right Provider

• Shortlist and Interviews– Top Three Firms

• Notification– Conducting Interviews

• Key Individuals, Location, Questions– Making The Selection

• Rating System

Section V:Integrating Cx into the Project

• Owner’s Team Meeting

– Introduce Owner’s Project Team– Discuss Project Goals– Cover Administrative Details, Procedures,

Access Requirements– Document Expectations

Section VI:Questions……