Project Team Selection
The procurement of parties responsible for the design and construction of the fit-out is a critical stage within the project. The choices made can significantly impact sustainability outcomes. The competency and track record of the design team and contractor, the procurement processes used with their supply chain, and how quality and performance are assured will all influence the level of success achieved.
1. Securing the Right Team
It is important that the fit-out project benefits from having the right people, available at the right time and with clearly defined roles and responsibilities. This includes:
- Suitably skilled staff with decision-making capabilites within the owner and occupier organisations.
- The procurement of highly-skilled and competent agents, advisors, design teams, contractors and their supply chain.
- Establishing clear processes and frameworks between all parties for communication and decision making.
Owners and occupiers both have a responsibility for their respective internal and external teams. Owners may be engaging with multiple occupiers across many live fit-out projects, but it is important that each and every one is resourced appropriately.
Owners should ensure that they understand the characteristics and capabilities of each occupier (e.g. size of business, level of fit-out experience etc.) to inform their own resourcing. Where in-house capacity or skills are short, external advisors should be used.
Owners and occupiers should both ensure that suitable project resource and decision-making processes are in place. They should reflect on their levels of experience with fit-out projects and building design and operation, seeking advice from third parties as appropriate.
2. Consider Sustainability Principles in Design Team & Contractor Selection
teams
Design Team
When selecting a design team, occupiers should assess the relevant levels of competency and experience within each specific discipline (e.g. project manager, architect, building services consultant etc.). The criteria listed below could provide a useful start point for this process. If the main contractor has design responsibilities this information may also be applicable.
Contractor Team
When selecting contractors, occupiers should seek to assess the main contractor and any specialist sub-contractor’s competencies and experience. The criteria listed below can provide a useful starting point for this process. Criteria may differ depending on the construction procurement route and type of contract used. If the main contractor has design responsibilities the Design Team criteria may also be applicable.
Selection Criteria
1. Design Team
- Delivery of successful fit-outs that are similar in terms of size, budget and scope.
- Track record working successfully with similar occupier clients (e.g. experience, size etc.)
- Integrating whole life principles in the design options appraisal process, e.g. Life Cycle Costing and Life Cycle Assessment.
- Experience of fit-out projects achieving required sustainability and/or environmental assessment ratings e.g. BREEAM, SKA. See Rating Tools for more information.
- Achieving required energy efficiency standards, e.g. EPC rating.
- Designing for workplace wellbeing e.g. experience of WELL Building Standard. See Rating Tools for more information.
- Designing for an active workforce. See Layout, Transport and Furniture for more information
- Designing for different ways of working (e.g. agile, collaborative, concentrated). See Layout for more information
- Specification of low environmental impact materials and furniture. See Materials and Furniture for more information
- Designing building services systems to enhance health and wellbeing and minimise energy consumption and CO2 emissions. See HVAC, Lighting and Equipment for more information
- Designing water efficient systems. See Water for more information.
- Designing for effective energy monitoring and management. See Metering and Monitoring for more information
- Approach to Soft Landings, monitoring commissioning and providing aftercare support. See Commissioning for more information.
- Evidence of evaluation and learning from buildings in fit-outs in use, e.g. via energy and water monitoring, building performance evaluation or Post Occupancy Evaluation. See Into Occupancy for more information.
2. Contractor Team
- Delivery of successful fit-outs that are similar in terms of size, budget and scope.
- Track record working successfully with similar occupier clients (e.g. experience, size etc.).
- Any track record of working with the appointed design team.
- Achieving “as built” compliance with required sustainability and/or environmental ratings.
- Achieving “as built” compliance with required energy efficiency standards, e.g. EPC rating.
- Operating under an Environmental Management System (EMS), i.e. ISO 14001.
- Own corporate CSR policies and targets, including adherence to Modern Slavery Act, apprenticeship and development programmes, community engagement initiatives.
- Proven implementation of responsible practices, policies and procedures for resource efficiency, waste minimisation, nuisance and pollution prevention.
- Evidence of measuring and reporting site impacts including: energy, water, waste, operative wellbeing etc.
- Working to the Considerate Constructors Scheme
- Sustainable procurement policy for their own supply chain e.g. approach to local and responsible sourcing, use of BRE Green Guide to Specification, preference for materials with low/no VOCs and high recyclable content.
- Approach to Commissioning and after care as well as implementation of the Soft Landings Framework.
- Successful application of policies and procedures to ensure quality performance and continuous improvement within own organisation and supply chain partners; e.g. training initiatives.
- Track record of bringing value to projects through ideas to enhance sustainability performance.