Owner-Contractor Relationships on Contaminated Site Remediation Projects

Contaminated site remediation projects have characteristics that distinguish them from conventional construction projects, including substantial regulatory oversight and significant uncertainty about subsurface conditions and the effectiveness of the remedial technology chosen. The unusual features of remediation projects suggests that nontraditional or innovative contracting mechanisms may be beneficial. Sixty completed remediation projects were studied to identify and document the effects of different project management structures and contracting strategies on project outcomes. Survey results indicated that changes in scope, budget overruns, delays, disputes, and change orders are common on remediation projects. Flexible project management strategies, such as turnkey and partnering arrangements, and flexible contracting schemes, such as cost plus fee, were found to be better suited to accommodate such changes. Turnkey and design/construct project structures had the best performance overall of the management structures reported. Mechanisms to promote partnering and team building contributed significantly to project success as defined by budget and schedule.