The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) today presented the 2006 Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering Awards to the construction companies that best exemplify the spirit of partnering. Partnering is the collaboration of contractors and owners and other stakeholders. Partnering promotes innovation and provides best practices among all team members for the achievement of mutual goals and objectives.
“This year’s winners comprise the nation’s best projects. AGC developed these awards to recognize exceptional projects for their ability to achieve a common goal, honor all stakeholders, perpetuate partnering, resolve conflicts, improve communication and incorporate team-building activities," said AGC CEO Stephen E. Sandherr.
In its second decade, the Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering Awards celebrate successful partnerships and years of outstanding results from partnering collaborations.
The 2006 Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering Winners include:
• Crowder Construction Company
Table Rock Intake
Cleveland, South Carolina
Supporting the hallmark of true partnering, the Table Rock Intake Project exhibited cost-effective, on time performance while providing a critical function to the client. This team blended the best talent and the best technology to achieve pin-point accuracy, zero lost time injuries and no environmental impact in opening a 105-foot vertical shaft and a 480-foot tunnel. During construction the partners worked tirelessly to insure safety and to keep the lake pristine. These goals were established at the beginning of the project and expressed clearly as part of a formal partnering program that created communication channels and engendered a can-do spirit across the team. Due to the success of partnering, Crowder has and will continue to use the partnering method as a tool to successfully complete projects.
• Dick Pacific Construction Company, Ltd.
United States Penitentiary and Federal Prison Camp
Tucson, Arizona
Due to the size and complexity of the U.S. Penitentiary and Federal Prison Camp project, many negative issues could have risen, but through commitment from all stakeholders to partner, all issues were resolved at the project level. This team incorporated weekly project walk-abouts, project executives managing Federal Bureau of Prisons issues and stakeholders counting on each other and spending time together. The guard towers at the Tucson Federal Bureau of Prisons stood approximately 50 feet high. Through the partnering process, Dick Pacific and the subcontractors brainstormed to develop innovative ideas to reduce the time and energy to assemble the guard towers on the ground verses when they were erected. The team successfully developed ideas that saved time, cost and improved productivity while maintaining quality.
• Costello Industries Incorporated, (CII)
Repair Runway 05-23 at Naval Station
Mayport, Florida
Costello Industries set out to complete work on the Repair Runway 05-23 at Naval Station Mayport, Florida through the partnering process. Their goals were to complete the project on or ahead of time, which they did 60 days ahead of schedule. Not one flight was interrupted or airfield operations affected throughout the project duration, value engineering saved $74,000 and no claims were filed. Weekly meetings during normal times and dialing meetings for critical activities ensured all parties stayed informed. The safety record for the project showed no lost-time and weekly safety meetings were held with an incentive program where a cash prize was awarded weekly along with other gifts for periods of no accidents.
• Hunter Contracting Company
Veterans Memorial Overpass Improvement Project
Tucson, Pima County, Arizona
This $18.1 million project to replace the aging Veterans Memorial Overpass engrained the partnering process to help this project stay on schedule, save money and build strong relationships with numerous stakeholders. The 18-month project received intense scrutiny from the public because it involved a 12-month closure to the Palo Verde Road bridge. Nearly 700 businesses near the overpass were concerned about how the bridge closure would impact their operations. The project team overcame many challenges, including the discovery of a large water line in an unexpected location, and constant coordination with the Union Pacific Railroad to perform work over the railroad tracks. This project featured a unique convergence of county, city, state and federal agencies; all worked together smoothly. The work was completed on time and under budget with a great deal of community goodwill.
Editor’s Note: Winning photos and graphics of the award are available upon request.
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is the largest and oldest national construction trade association in the United States. AGC represents more than 32,000 firms, including 7,000 of America’s leading general contractors, and over 11,000 specialty-contracting firms. More than 13,000 service providers and suppliers are associated with AGC through a nationwide network of chapters. Visit the AGC Web site at www.agc.org. AGC members are "Building Your Quality of Life."
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