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Construction Administration/ Electrical Inspection
R.A. Alcala’ and Associates, Inc. has provided construction administrative services as both a sub consultant and prime consultant. As a sub consultant, we provide such services on the “upon request” approach of the prime consultant. As a Prime Consultant, we conduct bi-weekly visits to the sites. If the project is multi-site, we will split the sites into thirds with (3) different employees conducting the visits to the sites of their responsibility on a bi-weekly basis.
R.A. Alcala’ and Associates, Inc. has provided services for the Arizona Department of Transportation on major highway construction projects in both Tucson and Phoenix. Our electrical inspectors are journeyman electrician with 10 to 25 years experience.
Our electrical inspectors have assisted the design staff in field inventories of existing facilities to aid in the proper identification of existing conditions.
Examples of electrical inspection projects are as follows:
· Pima Freeway (Shea Boulevard to McDonald Drive); Phoenix, AZ
· San Simone Rest Area; Sunsites, AZ
· SR 85/Bucksprings Intersection Traffic Signal; Payson, AZ
· I-10/Miracle Mile TI; Tucson, AZ
· SR 70 Roadway Lighting; Bylas, AZ
Quality Assurance
R.A. Alcala’ and Associates, Inc. has an in-house quality assurance control program established to ensure a high quality product to the client. This program is implemented on every project to ensure the highest quality product possible.
The first task in initiating the design process is for the design team to confirm the comprehensive understanding of the design requirements. Simply described, this task identifies and documents the generation or requirements that the architectural and engineering design solution(s) must satisfy. This task can be separated into two areas (when applicable) -- site long range planning and facility functional programming. The result of these problem-solving exercises is the schematic design process.
The design team conducts the work sessions at the client’s location, thereby, enhancing the availability of personnel and data. These intense work sessions, as applicable, are with architects, engineers, facility users, client long-range planners, land planners with local code expertise, facility safety, maintenance, administration personnel, and/or specialized consultants participating, as required. R.A. Alcala’ and Associates, Inc. staffs these sessions with the project manager, engineer, designer(s) and drafter(s) and provides all documentation and graphics display material required. Data is gathered, organized, displayed, and confirmed with the client. Design requirements are identified, prioritized, graphically displayed, tested, and full team agreement is achieved. The client, therefore, becomes an integral part of the design requirements and solutions process. The schematic design from this process is fully understood by all team members and is also a product of all participating team members. The client, designer, and all participants are experts on the “how and why” of the design evolution. Furthermore, the design process is graphically documented and available for utilization supporting the approval process.
Cost Estimating and Control
The general trend in engineering today is to include some level of Value Engineering analysis in all projects. R.A. Alcala’ and Associates, Inc. has staff personnel that have completed the Society of American Value Engineers (SAVE) approved Value Engineering MOD I Workshop and can prepare appropriate levels of Value Engineering analysis to clients. This process allows clients to choose the most cost-effective solutions to any project.
R.A. Alcala’ and Associates, Inc. can control construction cost-effectiveness through various levels of computer estimating. Evaluation of component systems from general square foot quantities to very specified detailed takeoffs can be converted automatically to computer developed analysis sheets. Each subsequent estimating level generated concurrently with the building’s definition during design and documentation phases. Computer programming is utilized in-house for project management, cost control, schedule maintenance, and historical data for engineering design costs.
Estimate levels can be processed in various formats. These format options are decided upon by specifications from the client and the Project Team. Some of these format options include building systems, special agency divisions, material/labor combination, and material/labor separation. These varying formats, as an example, can be used in the following estimate levels.
Level 1 Estimate
Marketing- This estimate is created as an aid designed to help the potential client understand not only the design of his project, but the cost involved to complete the design as desired.
Level 2 Estimate
Schematic Design- The estimate at this point begins to become more detailed and accurate as the design team collects and disseminates the preliminary design sketches.
Level 3 Estimate
Design Development- The project design is approximately 50 to 60 percent complete at this level and the design team is able to create a very detailed estimate. The estimator is now able to determine specific quantities on the project, and involvement with the client is crucial. The knowledge of project cost could include an increase or decrease in overall size, types of materials, interior appearance, or exterior appearance of the project.
Level 4 Estimate
Construction Documentation- This the final estimate that will be used to establish the budget and cost breakdown for the client.
The various estimating levels build reliable values as the design produces accurate, fixed quantities of materials from one phase to another. Initial database system parameters are an integral part of the design decisions. General area measures for systems analysis become detailed take-offs as documentation reaches a point where qualitative cost values can be determined.
A disciplined schedule is essential to any success in construction cost control. A casual review during design and a haphazard general quantity take-off prior to bidding is a sure way to fail.
Potential change orders are reduced when inconsistency and lack of clarity are eliminated. The goal to reduce overall cost affects every phase, every document, and every participant. R.A. Alcala’ and Associates, Inc. is committed to this process and we feel these control mechanisms are the finest available, controlled through discipline by the consistent judgment of qualified architects and engineers.