Download or read book Alternative Contracting Methods in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers written by Craig Lance Simoneau and published by . This book was released on 1992 with total page 108 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This thesis examines the contracting methods used by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). While USACE typically uses the traditional approach to construction contracting, they have recently begun using two forms of a design/build method. The traditional method uses separate design and construction firms. The construction contract is generally a firm fixed-price contract awarded in open competition to the lowest responsible bidder. This study found that there are many disadvantages to using this method, especially when it is used almost exclusively. The design/build approach employs a single organization to perform both the design and construction of a project. The two variations used by the Corps, the One-Step Negotiated process and the Two-Step Sealed Bidding process provide flexibility to USACE in their construction contracting. The primary advantages of the design/build methods are a savings of time, a reduction in costs, a reduction in time-consuming and costly disputes, allowing competition between designs, and the ability to award contracts based on quality as well as price. The environmental area, mobilization requirements, and base closure projects were all found to be particularly suitable for design/build use.