As you begin your facilities development project, consider the following tips for working with an architect:
- Guard against "runaway design." The
relationship with the architect is extremely important. One of the
jobs of the architect is to design a building that is both
functional and pleasing to the eye. It is the grantee’s job to
ensure that both functionality and aesthetics are affordable.
- Establish contract timeframes for the
various phases of the project.
- Pick firms with Head Start experience, if
possible.
- Negotiate, negotiate, and negotiate the
architectural fees.
- Identify and define in the contract all
items eligible for reimbursement.
- Guard against mechanical and engineering
over design.
- Work with one principal architect.
- Watch pay requests, making sure percentage completed equals amount paid.
Role in the Bidding Process: The architect and/or project manager plays a key role in documenting the reasons for awarding a contract to the lowest best bidder rather than the lowest bidder. The architect is important in the entire bidding process. In most cases, the architect and/or the project manager works with the agency's administration in the following:
- developing the bid
- advertising
- conducting the pre-bid conference
- conducting the bid opening
- qualifying the apparent low bidder
- recommending to the agency's
administration a construction contract award
- conducting a pre-construction meeting
- verifying all bonding and insurance requirements of the contractor