Design-Build Teams Harness the Benefits of Early Engagement of Material Suppliers

As momentum increases for the use of collaborative delivery methods in the execution of pipeline projects, there is need to pause and determine if all potential benefits are being achieved. This paper will highlight one area that is potentially underutilized in collaborative delivery projects. On a pipeline project, the pipe material can be as much as 50% of the overall project cost. Additionally, pipe material pipe supplier can have a significant impact on risk, schedule, and quality. Therefore, early pipeline material supplier involvement helps properly allocate risk, reduce costs, improves total project schedule, and enhances design and installation quality. This paper will address potential benefits of early supplier involvement in each major phase of project development, including design, procurement, construction, and commissioning/operations. In each phase, the benefits of pipe supplier involvement will be outlined in terms of cost, risk, schedule, and quality. Case studies will be incorporated into the paper to highlight tangible benefits from specific projects. Since the paper will not focus on any specific pipe product, recommendations will be made regarding the collaboration of the material supplier into the project. As the collaborative delivery method for pipeline projects grows, the need for harnessing benefits from this approach grows as well. Given that material is a significant portion of a pipeline project, enhancement of this integration in a collaborative delivery project is warranted.