Job Order Contracting history pays dividends

Job Order Contracting through a cooperative purchasing service saves time and allows owners to decrease the duration of construction projects, thus decreasing cost, while increasing quality. A recent Job Order Contracting (JOC) project for a Houston school district was accessed through Choice Facility Partners, a facility services purchasing cooperative, which is a division of Harris County Department of Education.

Choice Facility Partners is a cooperative purchasing service, providing legally and competitively bid facility and building contracts to governmental entities. Governmental entities can access quality services immediately, since that step has already been taken, saving entities time and money on bidding. Cooperative purchasing resource areas include Job Order Contracting , turn-key precast modular buildings, assistance for capital improvement programs representing the building/ facility owner and building services. Multiple contracts allow school districts, cities and counties to choose what best meets their needs.  

The recent Job Order Contracting project was completed at Spring Branch Independent School District in metropolitan Houston, where the district has been setting academic achievement records for a number of years. Their tradition of getting it right is one that’s deeply entrenched, from school teacher to superintendent to external partners. For example in the 2006-2007 school year, the district produced 32 National Merit Semifinalists; a record 17 schools were awarded the Exemplary Blue Ribbon designation; more than 20 teachers were recognized for excellence in a variety of local, state and national honors; and the district was recognized as one of the leading districts for lifelong learning.  In all, more than 13 local, regional or national citations were awarded to the district during this one-year period.  

All this would not be as noteworthy unless one considers that the district is comprised of fewer than 30,000 students, has just four comprehensive high schools, and has a student population that is nearly 70 percent minority. Without a doubt, there is a culture at the Spring Branch ISD that seeks excellence in its students, teachers and administrators.

And, the same is true in its contracting partners, according to Senior Project Manager Richard Skalski.

In keeping with the district’s prevailing attitude of getting it right, Spring Branch ISD has been a pioneer in the JOC process.  “We’ve been doing JOC  for about 15 years,” said Mr. Skalski.  “We believe in the process.  We understand it and believe in it.”

Job Order Contracting, with its genesis in the military tradition of developing mutually beneficial relationships with contractors, can trace its roots back a quarter century, and Spring Branch’s early entry into the process speaks for its effectiveness.

“We’ve seen it as a part of how we do business for these many years, and we’ll continue to operate that way,” added Mr. Skalski.

The district has indeed had a long history with the Job Order Contracting  program, using a variety of contractors over the years to complete all manner of projects, from the smallest renovation and repair to the larger construction of entire school wings.

“What I see as the JOC’s greatest asset is the time we save.  We can go from concept to turning dirt in a matter of weeks, as opposed to months.  It’s not unusual for us to have an idea for a project, and in less than 30 days, see construction begin.  That would be virtually impossible without the JOC process,” he added.

Asked if he would recommend the Job Order Contracting process to similar organizations, he said, “most definitely.  We have one project going on now that would have been impossible to complete within the time frame without JOC. It’s a lifesaver.”

Spring Branch ISD recently contracted with Dura Pier Facilities Inc., through the Choice Facility Partners JOC.  Among several projects that the contractor has completed for Spring Branch ISD, was a major improvement to the district’s drainage system.

Whether looking for services for a bond program or routine maintenance, eligible organizations can take advantage of the facilities services cooperative purchasing contracts within CFP by signing an interlocal agreement.  

For more information, contact Dean Zajicek, director, Choice Facility Partners, HCDE, 713-696-2122, or visit http://www.choicefacilitypartners.org .