Construction Manager vs. General Contractor – Part 3 – Qualifications

When selecting firms to participate in a CM/GC RFP (Request for Proposal), it is important to carefully review each firm’s qualifications to ensure that you are selecting the best-suited firms for the project.

The following steps can help you to level the responses and shortlist the most qualified firms:

• Chemistry with the team – Assess the team’s communication skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to work with others to ensure that they are a good fit for your project.
  
  
• Previous work history – Evaluate the firm’s previous work history, including projects of similar size and scope to your project, to determine their experience and expertise.
  
  
• Team member resumes – Review the resumes of each team member to assess their qualifications and experience, and to determine if they are a good fit for your project.
  
  
• References – Contact references provided by each firm to obtain feedback on their previous work and to determine their reputation in the industry.
  
  
• Team make-up – Evaluate the team make-up, including their size, resources, and experience, to determine if they are equipped to manage your project.
  
  
• Pre-construction qualifications – Assess the firm’s pre-construction qualifications and experience, including their critical path scheduling, budgeting, constructability analysis, material lead time mitigation, and sub-contractor pre-qualification capabilities.
  
  
• Firm financials – Evaluate the firm’s financials, including their financial stability, bonding capacity, and insurance coverage, to determine their ability to manage your project. If a contractor doesn’t have cash flow, it may result in several negative consequences, such as:
  
  
  

  – Inability to pay subcontractors and suppliers on time, leading to strained relationships and possibly even legal action.

  – Delays in completing projects due to lack of funds to purchase materials or pay workers.

  – Difficulty securing loans or lines of credit to continue operating, as lenders may view the contractor as a high risk.

  – Financial stress and potential bankruptcy if the contractor is unable to generate revenue or secure additional funding. It is important for general contractors to maintain a healthy cash flow and financial stability to ensure the success of their business.

• Negotiate fees – Once you have shortlisted the most qualified firms, negotiate their fees and other terms to ensure that you are getting the best value for your project.