Job Order Contracting (JOC) for Backlogged Projects

Job Order Contracting (JOC) is an efficient and flexible construction procurement method that enables organizations to complete many projects with one competitively awarded contract. Responsible for tens of thousands of projects and $4 billion in construction volume every year, Gordian’s Job Order Contracting solutions are the go-to delivery methods for various types of work. Many organizations leverage Gordian’s JOC solutions to complete backlogged projects.  This post explores why.

Why Use Job Order Contracting for Backlogged Projects?

Job Order Contracting enables organizations to complete many projects using one competitively awarded contract. Instead of putting every single backlogged project out to bid, organizations use JOC to do a lot of work with one solicitation, saving them time, effort and resources while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Portland Brings Natural Scenery to City With Long-Awaited Project

For several years, Portland, Oregon city planners wanted to add a viewing platform to the Springwater Corridor Trail, a bike and walking path that runs adjacent to the Oak Bottoms nature preserve, so passers-by had the opportunity to stop for a wondrous natural view. They progressed as far as developing designs and taking the project to bid through a traditional process. But design complexities and the complications of building near wetlands prevented the initiative from moving forward. Eventually, a project manager at the city’s Bureau of Environmental Services inquired about delivering the backlogged project with Gordian’s Job Order Contracting (JOC). 

The city held a Joint Scope Meeting with designers, engineers, Gordian JOC experts and the awarded contractor, Faison Construction. Together, this team surveyed the site to create a Detailed Scope of Work and determine the best way to complete the platform while simultaneously developing the project price. Construction began in late July, and the highly anticipated platform was finished before the end of October. Plus, thanks to careful planning, the trail remained open for the duration of the project. The observation platform now overlooks a marsh on the Oak Bottoms preserve, and an outcome long anticipated has come to fruition.

See all of Gordian’s innovative solutions for state and local government entities.

Hawaii School Revitalizes Roof in Record Time

Acid rains ate into the gutters and downspouts at Hawaii’s Konawaena High School, allowing water to cascade over a mural and the perimeter of the building. While the damage worsened over time, there were more pressing projects to complete, so the roof repairs sat in the backlog for eight long years. However, with a new mural slated for installation, the Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) decided the time had come to fix the roof.

HIDOE procured the work via Gordian’s Job Order Contracting and awarded the project to local contractor, Heartwood Pacific, LLC. Work included removing the damaged copper gutters, removing the upper portion of the downspouts and replacing them with PVC , and installing new stainless steel gutters. The entire procurement process took just 36 days from Joint Scope Meeting to Purchase Order, and Heartwood Pacific completed the project in the first week of April. After eight years of sitting in the backlog, the necessary repairs were finally completed.

Village of Tinley Park (IL) Renovates Parking Lot Lighting

A village that crosses two Illinois counties, Tinley Park prides itself on maintaining public spaces with high aesthetic standards. That’s why local officials wanted to act fast when it came to their attention that the lights in the Tinley Park police station were weathered and peeling. The wait for funding, however, relegated the project to the backlog.

Once funding came through, the village opted to tackle the renovation with Cooperative JOC (also known as ezIQC®), a form of Job Order Contracting made available via cooperative purchasing organizations, GPOs and interlocal agreements. With prices preset and contractors awarded, these contracts are construction-ready, allowing project owners to procure construction services quickly, which is exactly what happened at Tinley Park. Awarded contractor F.H. Paschen was on site in merely three days.

The contractor removed the lights and sandblasted them before power coating. Next, they installed new LED streetlights to create a more aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. The job took approximately three weeks to complete after being backlogged for so long, bringing the police station back to the village’s standards.