General Questions About the Project Entry Form
Your completed form is routed for review by a Gordian representative in your area. This person will contact you directly.
Our goal is to be as efficient and responsible as possible, so you’ll hear back from us within 24 hours.
First and foremost, we want to make sure your project is a good fit for the Job Order Contracting construction procurement method. The more info we have for that assessment, the better. Secondly, assuming the fit is right, we can start thinking of awarded area contractors who have the experience and skills required to do your project well. Lastly, we want to be sure who to contact about the work.
Absolutely. The more info you have at the front, the better, but we can gather that data later.
The project entry form can be completed by a project owner or a construction contractor.
Generally speaking, all it takes to begin a project is the site location, a description of the work to be performed and the contact info of the person submitting the form.
Your local Gordian representative will review your entry and contact you to set up a meeting to discuss your project and determine whether it is a suitable candidate for the Job Order Contracting procurement method. If your project is deemed a good fit for JOC, our local representative may use the information you submit to create a Job Order and/or promote your project to local contractors (entirely at your discretion and direction). We will also use information from the Project Entry form to report on project progress and success.
You may submit as many projects as you like. That does not mean we’ll be able to tackle them all at once, but you can get multiple projects on our radar.
General Questions About the Project Entry Form
Yes. All Gordian Job Order Contracting programs are compliant with state procurement laws.
No, completing the form is free. In fact, organizations only incur costs when they use Gordian’s JOC solutions.
Certainly. Cooperative JOC has been used to successfully deliver grant-funded projects of various sizes, including a $241,000 memorial installation for the City of San Mateo.
General Questions About the Project Entry Form
The project owner is the party paying for construction work.
The most important thing to know as an owner is that Gordian’s JOC solutions comply with procurement laws. Contrary to popular belief, JOC does not circumvent procurement regulations or skip steps. Rather, it satisfies requirements one time, up front, for the duration of the contract.
The project contractor is the party completing construction work.
The most important thing to know as a contractor is that all JOC projects are priced out of a Unit Price Book we call the Construction Task Catalog,® or CTC. The preset costs in the CTC are researched and verified by Gordian’s expert team, and you will use them to complete Price Proposals for JOC projects. Even if project scope changes, the additional or new work will be priced out of the CTC.
Job Order Contracts are competitively-bid and awarded, same as project delivery methods with an entrenched history, like Design-Bid-Build. However, instead of bidding on individual projects, with JOC you’ll bid on a Unit Price Book used to prepare proposals for an undetermined number of contracts. Learn more about the process.
Under a Cooperative JOC program, the entity holding the contract (typically a purchasing co-op) has vetted and awarded contractors. You may select who you want to work with from this group.
Not at all. Gordian meets everyone where they are on their Cooperative JOC journey – even those only at the first step. No matter your level of experience, we are your partners in success. In fact, Colorado’s School District 27J completed major projects using JOC for the very first time. Watch their story.
General Questions About the Project Entry Form
No, it does not. After you submit a project, a Gordian representative will contact you in a day or so to talk through details. If the rep determines your project is a good fit for Cooperative JOC, the project will proceed.
It could be as fast as a matter of days. Once you award a contractor, the project team (you, the contractors, subcontractors, etc.) will convene for a Joint Scope Meeting to discuss the work. Then, the project schedule will be established.
ezIQC/Cooperative JOC has been used successfully for a wide range of projects, everything from minor repairs to major renovations. Check out our infographic to see the types of projects it is best suited for.
There are a few differences between Cooperative JOC and traditional procurement. One is that JOC enables you to complete many projects with one contract, whereas traditional procurement follows a one contract, one project procurement process.
Another difference is that with Cooperative JOC, a third party (often a purchasing organization) holds a master contract that other entities (like purchasing organization members) access as needed. This contract is construction ready. All details have been ironed out, a CTC has been developed and contractors have been awarded.
Not necessarily. Across the U.S. are interlocal agreements where one public entity holds the master contract, and others can access it.
A report by NIGP and Gordian found that Job Order Contracting solutions reduce the procurement cycle by as much as 25%. Imagine starting work in nine weeks instead of twelve — that’s the kind of time savings you can expect from JOC.
Job Order Contracting solutions are not always the least expensive option. However, research by NIGP and Gordian found that JOC transaction costs — the costs to implement and execute a Job Order Contract — are similar to other project delivery methods and, over time, via the economies of scale, the transaction costs of JOC are often lower. Further, Gordian’s internal data revealed that our Price Proposal reviews lower hard costs by an average of 6%.
IDIQ
Short for: Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity
Definition: Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts are flexible government procurement tools used when exact quantities and delivery schedules are unknown at the time of award. IDIQ contracts allow agencies to issue task orders (for services) or delivery orders (for supplies) as needs arise, within a defined minimum and maximum contract value. This structure supports efficient, on-demand procurement across sectors like IT, construction and research. Check out our blog post for more details.
JOC
Short for: Job Order Contracting
Definition: An IDIQ construction project delivery solution, JOC enables organizations to complete many projects using one contract. This innovative, single-solicitation approach shortens the procurement cycle by as much as 25%, allowing work to begin faster. You may hear this kind of Job Order Contract referred to as a tailored JOC, a standalone JOC or a license fee JOC. No matter the name, all Job Order Contracts are compliant with procurement law.
Instead of bidding on individual projects, JOC contractors bid on a Unit Price Book filled with local construction costs researched and verified by Gordian’s internal experts. On top of these costs, contractors bid a multiplier called an Adjustment Factor that represents their overhead and profit. The costs in the Unit Price Book and applicable Adjustment Factors are used to price all projects completed during the life of the contract.
Note: Every JOC is an IDIQ, but not every IDIQ is a JOC.
Cooperative JOC
Short for: Cooperative Job Order Contracting
Definition: Cooperative JOC is a shared Job Order Contract, accessed via purchasing cooperatives, GPOs or interlocal agreements between public entities. Cooperative JOC offers all the same benefits as standalone JOC, with a major bonus: Since terms of the master contract have been determined by the contract holder ahead of time, organizations accessing the contract can start work immediately.
Another difference between Cooperative JOC and standalone JOC is that the costs in the Unit Price Book are regional rather than local.
ezIQC
Short for: Easy Indefinite Quantity Construction
Definition: See Cooperative JOC
If you like, your Gordian Account Manager can act on your behalf (as an intermediary between owner and contractor) to ensure awarded contractors perform the agreed upon work on the agreed upon schedule to complete your project on time and on budget.
Gordian’s data team spends 20,000 hours per year researching local construction costs, talking with local vendors and using available technologies to develop accurate costs for construction tasks in your area.
A Construction Task Catalog®, or CTC, is the Unit Price Book used in Cooperative JOC programs. We distinguish the CTC from the average Unit Price Book with tireless research and rigorous specificity. CTC prices are developed and validated to meet the needs of a specific master contract holder and/or the entities that access the master contract.
Not only can you use Cooperative JOC for emergency repair work, we recommend it. Cooperative JOC allows you to respond to a crisis immediately, without paying a premium for emergency work. That’s because these projects, like all Cooperative JOC projects, are priced out of the CTC. The costs are set and non-negotiable. Want to know more? Check out this collection of stories about emergency work completed with Gordian’s JOC solutions.
Absolutely not. In fact, you pay nothing for Cooperative JOC until you use the contract or procure construction work. At the time of purchase, Gordian is paid a fee for use of the contract.
The only known in construction is that there are unknowns. Unexpected issues will arise during JOC projects, and when they do, we follow a proven process for addressing them. The entire project team convenes for a Joint Scope Meeting at the site of the new work and agrees upon a scope, just as they did at the beginning of the main project. The contractor prices the work out of the CTC and sends the owner a Price Proposal for review. Once satisfied with the proposal, the owner submits a supplemental Job Order for the new work.
After a Job Order is issued, your local Gordian representative acts as a liaison between you and the awarded contractor. They will work to maintain lines of communication and keep the project progressing to a successful conclusion.
Many organizations use RSMeans Data for construction estimating, but it’s a mistake to use the same dataset for procurement/project delivery. Construction estimating and project delivery are two different activities requiring different datasets. To that end, we have developed a new RSMeans-based Unit Price Book for procurement tasks that can serve as your UPB if you are running your own JOC program in-house.
Currently, 24 states offer Cooperative JOC contracts. Use our interactive map to see if your state is one of them.
Absolutely! If your state does not offer a state-sponsored ezIQC or Cooperative JOC contract, you still have several options. Gordian can set up a JOC program for you. We can build a CTC specific to construction tasks/techniques/trades in your area. You can run that program on your own (if you’ve got the team and bandwidth to do it), or your Gordian representatives can run the program on your behalf assisting with Site Walks, Scope Development, Contractor Solicitation/Engagement, Proposal/Bid Review and even provide Construction Management services once the contract is awarded. The simple answer is that having a state-sponsored cooperative or GPO isn’t the only way to access Gordian JOC solutions.
Cooperative JOC is currently available in Canada via Canoe and Kinetic GPO. Visit this page to learn more.
A pioneer in Job Order Contracting since 1990, Gordian has implemented and supported thousands of JOC programs across North America.
The contracts can be used by government entities, hospitals and healthcare organizations, and educational institutions belonging to cooperative purchasing associations and group purchasing organizations (GPOs) or who have access to a shared interlocal agreement.
General Questions About the Project Entry Form
What happens after I fill out the project entry form?
Your completed form is routed for review by a Gordian representative in your area. This person will contact you directly.
How soon will I hear back from a Gordian representative?
Our goal is to be as efficient and responsible as possible, so you’ll hear back from us within 24 hours.
Why do you need all of this information?
First and foremost, we want to make sure your project is a good fit for the Job Order Contracting construction procurement method. The more info we have for that assessment, the better. Secondly, assuming the fit is right, we can start thinking of awarded area contractors who have the experience and skills required to do your project well. Lastly, we want to be sure who to contact about the work.
I don’t know all my project information yet. Can I still fill out the project entry form?
Absolutely. The more info you have at the front, the better, but we can gather that data later.
Who can fill out the form?
The project entry form can be completed by a project owner or a construction contractor.
What information is needed to begin a project?
Generally speaking, all it takes to begin a project is the site location, a description of the work to be performed and the contact info of the person submitting the form.
What do you do with all the information I submit?
Your local Gordian representative will review your entry and contact you to set up a meeting to discuss your project and determine whether it is a suitable candidate for the Job Order Contracting procurement method. If your project is deemed a good fit for JOC, our local representative may use the information you submit to create a Job Order and/or promote your project to local contractors (entirely at your discretion and direction). We will also use information from the Project Entry form to report on project progress and success.
How many projects can I submit at one time?
You may submit as many projects as you like. That does not mean we’ll be able to tackle them all at once, but you can get multiple projects on our radar.
Legal Questions About the Project Entry Form
Is this form legal?
Yes. All Gordian Job Order Contracting programs are compliant with state procurement laws.
Is there a cost associated with filling out this form?
No, completing the form is free. In fact, organizations only incur costs when they use Gordian’s JOC solutions.
Can I use grant funding with ezIQC/Cooperative JOC?
Certainly. Cooperative JOC has been used to successfully deliver grant-funded projects of various sizes, including a $241,000 memorial installation for the City of San Mateo.
Role Specific Questions About the Project Entry Form
Can you define a project owner?
The project owner is the party paying for construction work.
I’m a project owner. What do I need to know?
The most important thing to know as an owner is that Gordian’s JOC solutions comply with procurement laws. Contrary to popular belief, JOC does not circumvent procurement regulations or skip steps. Rather, it satisfies requirements one time, up front, for the duration of the contract.
Can you define a project contractor?
The project contractor is the party completing construction work.
I’m a contractor. What do I need to know?
The most important thing to know as a contractor is that all JOC projects are priced out of a Unit Price Book we call the Construction Task Catalog,® or CTC. The preset costs in the CTC are researched and verified by Gordian’s expert team, and you will use them to complete Price Proposals for JOC projects. Even if project scope changes, the additional or new work will be priced out of the CTC.
How do I become an awarded contractor?
Job Order Contracts are competitively-bid and awarded, same as project delivery methods with an entrenched history, like Design-Bid-Build. However, instead of bidding on individual projects, with JOC you’ll bid on a Unit Price Book used to prepare proposals for an undetermined number of contracts. Learn more about the process.
Can I choose the contractor I want to work with?
Under a Cooperative JOC program, the entity holding the contract (typically a purchasing co-op) has vetted and awarded contractors. You may select who you want to work with from this group.
I have never used ezIQC/Cooperative JOC before. Will this impact my project selection?
Not at all. Gordian meets everyone where they are on their Cooperative JOC journey – even those only at the first step. No matter your level of experience, we are your partners in success. In fact, Colorado’s School District 27J completed major projects using JOC for the very first time. Watch their story below.
Additional Questions
When I submit a project, does that mean that the project is automatically approved?
No, it does not. After you submit a project, a Gordian representative will contact you in a day or so to talk through details. If the rep determines your project is a good fit for Cooperative JOC, the project will proceed.
When does work start after I submit my project?
It could be as fast as a matter of days. Once you award a contractor, the project team (you, the contractors, subcontractors, etc.) will convene for a Joint Scope Meeting to discuss the work. Then, the project schedule will be established.
How do I know if my project is a good fit for ezIQC/Cooperative JOC?
ezIQC/Cooperative JOC has been used successfully for a wide range of projects, everything from minor repairs to major renovations. Check out our infographic to see the types of projects it is best suited for.
How does ezIQC/Cooperative JOC differ from traditional procurement methods?
There are a few differences between Cooperative JOC and traditional procurement. One is that JOC enables you to complete many projects with one contract, whereas traditional procurement follows a one contract, one project procurement process.
Another difference is that with Cooperative JOC, a third party (often a purchasing organization) holds a master contract that other entities (like purchasing organization members) access as needed. This contract is construction ready. All details have been ironed out, a CTC has been developed and contractors have been awarded.
Do I need to be a member of a Coop or a GPO to get started?
Not necessarily. Across the U.S. are interlocal agreements where one public entity holds the master contract, and others can access it.
What is the average time savings for using ezIQC/Cooperative JOC?
A report by NIGP and Gordian found that Job Order Contracting solutions reduce the procurement cycle by as much as 25%. Imagine starting work in nine weeks instead of twelve — that’s the kind of time savings you can expect from JOC.
What are the average cost savings for using ezIQC/Cooperative JOC?
Job Order Contracting solutions are not always the least expensive option. However, research by NIGP and Gordian found that JOC transaction costs — the costs to implement and execute a Job Order Contract — are similar to other project delivery methods and, over time, via the economies of scale, the transaction costs of JOC are often lower. Further, Gordian’s internal data revealed that our Price Proposal reviews lower hard costs by an average of 6%.
What is the difference between ezIQC, Cooperative JOC, JOC, IDIQ, etc.?
We know, we know; it’s a lot of abbreviations. Here’s a brief rundown to clear them up:
IDIQ
Short for: Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity
Definition: Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts are flexible government procurement tools used when exact quantities and delivery schedules are unknown at the time of award. IDIQ contracts allow agencies to issue task orders (for services) or delivery orders (for supplies) as needs arise, within a defined minimum and maximum contract value. This structure supports efficient, on-demand procurement across sectors like IT, construction and research. Check out our blog post for more details.
JOC
Short for: Job Order Contracting
Definition: An IDIQ construction project delivery solution, JOC enables organizations to complete many projects using one contract. This innovative, single-solicitation approach shortens the procurement cycle by as much as 25%, allowing work to begin faster. You may hear this kind of Job Order Contract referred to as a tailored JOC, a standalone JOC or a license fee JOC. No matter the name, all Job Order Contracts are compliant with procurement law.
Instead of bidding on individual projects, JOC contractors bid on a Unit Price Book filled with local construction costs researched and verified by Gordian’s internal experts. On top of these costs, contractors bid a multiplier called an Adjustment Factor that represents their overhead and profit. The costs in the Unit Price Book and applicable Adjustment Factors are used to price all projects completed during the life of the contract.
Note: Every JOC is an IDIQ, but not every IDIQ is a JOC.
Cooperative JOC
Short for: Cooperative Job Order Contracting
Definition: Cooperative JOC is a shared Job Order Contract, accessed via purchasing cooperatives, GPOs or interlocal agreements between public entities. Cooperative JOC offers all the same benefits as standalone JOC, with a major bonus: Since terms of the master contract have been determined by the contract holder ahead of time, organizations accessing the contract can start work immediately.
Another difference between Cooperative JOC and standalone JOC is that the costs in the Unit Price Book are regional rather than local.
ezIQC
Short for: Easy Indefinite Quantity Construction
Definition: See Cooperative JOC
What construction management services does Gordian provide?
If you like, your Gordian Account Manager can act on your behalf (as an intermediary between owner and contractor) to ensure awarded contractors perform the agreed upon work on the agreed upon schedule to complete your project on time and on budget.
How is project pricing set?
Gordian’s data team spends 20,000 hours per year researching local construction costs, talking with local vendors and using available technologies to develop accurate costs for construction tasks in your area.
What is a CTC?
A Construction Task Catalog®, or CTC, is the Unit Price Book used in Cooperative JOC programs. We distinguish the CTC from the average Unit Price Book with tireless research and rigorous specificity. CTC prices are developed and validated to meet the needs of a specific master contract holder and/or the entities that access the master contract.
Can I use ezIQC/Cooperative JOC for emergency repair work?
Not only can you use Cooperative JOC for emergency repair work, we recommend it. Cooperative JOC allows you to respond to a crisis immediately, without paying a premium for emergency work. That’s because these projects, like all Cooperative JOC projects, are priced out of the CTC. The costs are set and non-negotiable. Want to know more? Check out this collection of stories about emergency work completed with Gordian’s JOC solutions.
Are there hidden costs associated with ezIQC/Cooperative JOC and having Gordian manage our project?
Absolutely not. In fact, you pay nothing for Cooperative JOC until you use the contract or procure construction work. At the time of purchase, Gordian is paid a fee for use of the contract.
What happens if my Scope of Work changes?
The only known in construction is that there are unknowns. Unexpected issues will arise during JOC projects, and when they do, we follow a proven process for addressing them. The entire project team convenes for a Joint Scope Meeting at the site of the new work and agrees upon a scope, just as they did at the beginning of the main project. The contractor prices the work out of the CTC and sends the owner a Price Proposal for review. Once satisfied with the proposal, the owner submits a supplemental Job Order for the new work.
How does Gordian support you after the Job Order is issued?
After a Job Order is issued, your local Gordian representative acts as a liaison between you and the awarded contractor. They will work to maintain lines of communication and keep the project progressing to a successful conclusion.
Can I use my own RSMeans Data Online subscription to determine prices?
Many organizations use RSMeans Data for construction estimating, but it’s a mistake to use the same dataset for procurement/project delivery. Construction estimating and project delivery are two different activities requiring different datasets. To that end, we have developed a new RSMeans-based Unit Price Book for procurement tasks that can serve as your UPB if you are running your own JOC program in-house.
What states have ezIQC/Cooperative JOC approved contracts?
Currently, 24 states offer Cooperative JOC contracts. Use our interactive map to see if your state is one of them.
What happens if my state doesn’t have an ezIQC/Cooperative JOC approved contract? Can I still fill out the project entry form and get my project started?
Absolutely! If your state does not offer a state-sponsored ezIQC or Cooperative JOC contract, you still have several options. Gordian can set up a JOC program for you. We can build a CTC specific to construction tasks/techniques/trades in your area. You can run that program on your own (if you’ve got the team and bandwidth to do it), or your Gordian representatives can run the program on your behalf assisting with Site Walks, Scope Development, Contractor Solicitation/Engagement, Proposal/Bid Review and even provide Construction Management services once the contract is awarded. The simple answer is that having a state-sponsored cooperative or GPO isn’t the only way to access Gordian JOC solutions.
Is ezIQC/Cooperative JOC available in Canada?
Cooperative JOC is currently available in Canada via Canoe and Kinetic GPO. Visit this page to learn more.
Why work with Gordian?
A pioneer in Job Order Contracting since 1990, Gordian has implemented and supported thousands of JOC programs across North America.
Who can use this contract?
The contracts can be used by government entities, hospitals and healthcare organizations, and educational institutions belonging to cooperative purchasing associations and group purchasing organizations (GPOs) or who have access to a shared interlocal agreement.