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A Report on the Design and Construction of the University of Massachusetts Computer Science Center.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: A Report on the Design and Construction of the University of Massachusetts Computer Science Center.
Language: English
Authors: Massachusetts State Office of the Inspector General, Boston.
Availability: Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General, P.O. Box 270, State House Station, Boston, MA 02133. Tel: 617-727-9140; Fax: 617-723-2334; Web site: http://www.state.ma.us/ig. For full text: http://www.state.ma.us/ig/igpubl.htm.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 109
Publication Date: 2001
Document Type: Reports - Evaluative
Descriptors: Bids, College Buildings, Construction Costs, Construction Management, Construction (Process), Contracts, Design Build Approach, Educational Facilities, Higher Education
Abstract: This report describes a review conducted by the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General on the construction of the Computer Science and Development Center at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The office initiated the review after hearing concerns about the management of the project, including its delayed completion and substantial cost overruns. The review concluded that the design-build approach used in the building's construction did not produce the anticipated time savings and also fell short of the school's standards for quality in at least two significant ways. Following an executive summary and introduction, the bulk of the report details the review's findings. These are: (1) Although the state's Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) used a state statute on modular building procurement to avoid the usual design-bid-build process, the building is not a modular building; (2) Most delays and overruns were caused by factors under the contractor's (Suffolk's) control; (3) The design-build approach was not appropriate for the project; (4) Top DCAM management did not support efforts of DCAM project personnel to enforce contract requirements and maintain control over the project; and (5) Top DCAM management failed to conduct a rigorous assessment of the merits of Suffolk's $2.7 million claim. (An appendix contains a response letter from DCAM). (EV)
Entry Date: 2002
Accession Number: ED463637
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This report describes a review conducted by the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General on the construction of the Computer Science and Development Center at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The office initiated the review after hearing concerns about the management of the project, including its delayed completion and substantial cost overruns. The review concluded that the design-build approach used in the building's construction did not produce the anticipated time savings and also fell short of the school's standards for quality in at least two significant ways. Following an executive summary and introduction, the bulk of the report details the review's findings. These are: (1) Although the state's Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) used a state statute on modular building procurement to avoid the usual design-bid-build process, the building is not a modular building; (2) Most delays and overruns were caused by factors under the contractor's (Suffolk's) control; (3) The design-build approach was not appropriate for the project; (4) Top DCAM management did not support efforts of DCAM project personnel to enforce contract requirements and maintain control over the project; and (5) Top DCAM management failed to conduct a rigorous assessment of the merits of Suffolk's $2.7 million claim. (An appendix contains a response letter from DCAM). (EV)