Evaluation of contract time estimation and contracting procedures for louisiana department of transportation and development construction projects.

PDFTech Report29694-7SSContract ratesSoftwareContract administrationConstructionQuality controlPrequalificationsPrivatizationLouisianaLouisiana Tech University. Dept. of Civil EngineeringMcCrary, Steven W.Corley, MelvinLeslie, David A.Aparajithan, SripathaeLouisiana Tech University. Dept. of Civil EngineeringLouisiana Transportation Research CenterUS Transportation CollectionThe purpose of the research was to provide the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD) with a systematic approach to the determination of contract time and to explore innovative contracting procedures that may prove beneficial on LaDOTD's projects. To discover the current states of practice, a literature survey and a thorough examination of current LaDOTD practices and procedures were conducted.Through several in-depth meetings with LaDOTD officials, a template-based contract time system using 23 templates was developed that encompasses the majority of construction at LaDOTD. The final computer product delivers the 23 templates in a Windows-based environment for a personal computer. Formally checking the system's reliability and validity was beyond the scope of this research, but preliminary feedback from the users indicates the system is giving reasonable results.The research team discovered several innovative contracting procedures that could prove beneficial to LaDOTD, including: design/build, dispute review boards, incentives/disincentives for time and quality, prequalification, and privatization. Other concepts that the LaDOTD has used in the past should continue to be used, and, when appropriate, expanded, including: performance-related specifications, value engineering, and warranties. The researchers developed detailed systems for use of dispute review boards, incentives/disincentives, prequalification, and privatization.This volume, Volume I of the final report, discusses the study and its recommendations