Delivery Systems.

Design Build.

Design-build is a process in which the General Contractor is the sole contracting entity that the owner has to deal with throughout the design-development and construction processes.  Under this method of project delivery, the General Contractor, or Design-Builder, is responsible for the development of the design, the final design and construction documents, and all construction activities.  Development of the design usually includes geotechnical services, surveying, civil engineering, structural engineering, architectural design, mechanical and electrical design. 

Criterion General Inc. does not employ any design professionals in-house.  We prefer to reach out to the design community and employ professional consultants for the various design disciplines.  There are many firms in all of the various disciplines with whom we have excellent working relationships.

Design-Assist.

The similarities between this method and the design-build method described are many, and in reality, we treat these two types of delivery systems the same.  We define partnering as a method for establishing working relationships and understandings among all participants throughout the design-development and construction processes, regardless of who works for whom. 

Often an owner will come to us with the design team partially formed.  The owner may have already developed a concept, selected his architect, civil engineer and structural engineer.  Criterion may be asked to provide mechanical and electrical design-build services with one of the many excellent subcontractors we work with in each discipline.  We establish a harmonious working relationship with all the stakeholders at the outset of this process and all are active participants in developing the design, developing the project costs, and constructing and commissioning the project.

All participants are able to bring their expertise to the table and offer guidance for constructability and cost.  As with design-build, all costs are maintained in an open-book format so that the owner can have immediate feedback relative to cost versus value on his or her choices.

Low Bid.

Low bid is the traditional approach to project procurement.  In this method of project delivery, the owner and his or her design team will have completed complete bid and construction documents and competitive cost proposal are solicited.  In the private sector, often the bidding field is limited to several pre-qualified bidders.  In the public sector, any contractor with the appropriate licenses, insurance and bonds may bid.

Many owners feel more comfortable with this method of project delivery because its procedures are well-established, easily understood, and broadly documented.  The owner can be assured he or she is getting the lowest possible cost for the project.

Although we negotiate more projects than we bid competitively, we maintain our skills in this area so that we can continue to offer the most cost effective approach to our clients.

Design-Build-Lease.

Low bid is the traditional approach to project procurement.  In this method of project delivery, the owner and his or her design team will have completed complete bid and construction documents and competitive cost proposal are solicited.  In the private sector, often the bidding field is limited to several pre-qualified bidders.  In the public sector, any contractor with the appropriate licenses, insurance and bonds may bid.

Many owners feel more comfortable with this method of project delivery because its procedures are well-established, easily understood, and broadly documented.  The owner can be assured he or she is getting the lowest possible cost for the project.

Although we negotiate more projects than we bid competitively, we maintain our skills in this area so that we can continue to offer the most cost effective approach to our clients.