Relevant Mega Partnering Experience
The Next NGA West (N2W) Program involves execution of design and construction, as well as integration, transition and initial operations of a new 800,000 square foot secure intelligence facility with a construction contract value of $1.75 billion. The three partner organizations are: USACE, the design and construction agent; National Geospatial Agency (NGA) the end user; and McCarthy-Hitt Joint Venture (MHJV) the Design-Build Contractor. The design-build construction contract was awarded in March of 2019 and is expected to be complete in 2025.
USACE, NGA and MHJV use a three-tier governance structure to manage the program and address both risk management and issue resolution. The three tiers are the Project Leadership Team (PLT), the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and the senior Executive Board (SEB). The PLT is made up of team leaders and managers that are directly perform day-to-day execution of the design build contract. The PLT reports to the ELT which is made up of the senior on site managers from the three partners. The ELT reports to the SEB which is made up of the off-site (home office/HQ level) senior leadership of each partner.
Delivering a mission ready facility on time and on budget has revealed the threat of each partner relying on their greatest strengths for project success.
- For the client, flexibility, generous past budget assumptions and asking for detailed documentation has been problematic on a design-build project that requires making decisions with imperfect information.
- For USACE, the tendency to rely of established processes to address novel and complex challenges has been inadequate. Team members have discovered varied interpretations what was believed to be very specific contract language. Active collaboration and equitable adjustments have been necessary.
- MHJV’s extensive experience on the civilian side has not translated to instant credibility on government work. MHJV has had to adapt to rigorous government submission and documentation requirements and USACE QA/QC policies and proceedures.
Project Accomplishments and Learnings
- Ongoing partnering support from Group Solutions since 2017 has led to tighter and more consistent communication, rapid surfacing of emerging issues and objective focus on shared risks and project threats across organizations and teams.
- An active Senior Executive Board has supported effective multi-level project governance.
- Litigation risks have been reduced through improved Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs).
- Regular review of a shared risk register keeps everyone focused.
- Teams at all levels have developed the skills to manage very difficult decisions professionally.
- A shared process was established for completing design change requests.
- Design-build limitations have been challenging, but USACE contracting has been flexible.
- Regular assessments of team health work.
- Project risks /concerns are being reviewed and elevated to all teams faster and more effectively.
References
- Colonel Travis Rayfield, District Engineer, CENWK. 816-389-3204
- Mr. Eugene Morisani, Program Manager, N2W IPO. 816-389-3041