FAQs
Click on any question below to see the answer.
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What is JOC?
Job Order Contracting (JOC) is a way for organizations to get numerous commonly encountered construction projects, such as facility repair, renovation, or sustainability/green jobs, done quickly and easily through multi-year contracts.
JOC significantly reduces engineering, design, and contract procurement time by awarding long-term contracts. JOC is a program not a project, best implemented via a JOC-specific software program. Job Order Contracting (JOC) is an alternative traditional design-bid-build, DBB and similar construction methods to procure construction management services with an emphasis upon partnering and teamwork. JOC provides the process/methodology to execute indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, fixed price, and multiple simultaneous orders for renovation, rehabilitation repair, and sustainability/green work for larger facility portfolios. JOC is performance-based. JOC contractors are selected based on best value, qualifications and performance. -
Are there other names for JOC?
Yes. JOC is also known as:
- SABER contracts (Simplified Acquisition of Base Engineering Requirements)
- Delivery Order Construction Contracts (DOCC)
- Task Order Contracts
- Indefinite Quantity Term Contracts
- Indefinite Quantity Construction Delivery Contracts (CONDEL)
- Indefinite Quantity Delivery Order Contracts. -
What is e4Click Project Estimator?
SABER / IDIQ / SATOC / MATOC / MACC / POCA / BOA and similar efficient construction delivery methods. It is the most powerful estimating and collaboration solution with an exclusive integration of an extended RSMeans database of approximately 400,000 line items, developed to dramatically improve organizational effectiveness and ensure successful completion of projects through centralized communication, tracking, reporting, and information sharing. -
Why Document Management an important e4Clicks feature?
More and more construction projects are turning towards electronic document and data management on projects as a cost savings, quality, and improved communications initiative.
Typical paper-based system costs encountered project-wide include; document reproduction (including large-scale drawings), postage and courier, paper records retention, and inefficiencies due to errors, omissions, improper filing, and accessibility.
Studies indicate that 0.18% of construction volume is the direct cost of paper based construction delivery methods: a Construction Management firm or General Contractor will spend about $180,000 on reproduction, postage, courier, and records retention. This does not consider the costs borne, and accounted for separately, by the A/E, owner, and subs that are eventually paid for by the owner, as they are embedded in everyone's fees or costs of direct work/subcontracts.
Although significant, the highest costs, result from in miscommunication, change-orders, and rework as a result of outdated or incorrect paper documents. -
Who provides material and labor costs and how often are they updated?
Project Estimator embeds the detailed RSMeans cost data that you have selected for your requirements and the RSMeans City Cost Index (CCI). The RSMeans cost data is available in annual updates and the CCI is updated quarterly. RSMeans is the industry leader for reference cost information. RSMeans architects, engineers, and cost researchers compile material costs by tracking and compiling labor, material, and equipment rental costs spanning the majority of construction projects across North America. -
How is the total JOC price calculated?
(Note: Contracting specifications can vary and should be reviewed for each and every particular instance. The method of pricing under the terms of a JOC contract is a Unit Price Book (UPB). 4Clicks exclusively provides an extended 400,000 line item RSMeans UPB organized in Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) divisions and MasterFormat04. 4Clicks Project Estimator embeds the UPB providing a computerized proposal development system for the preparation of proposals and automated technical evaluation that are submitted to the owner.)
A1. A co-efficient is a multiplier that is used to raise or lower the unit prices found in the price guide or unit price cost book. Some contracts allow for a separate co-efficient for each year, others allow an escalation index; some maintain the co-efficient but use an updated price guide.
A2. Coefficients are typically applied to the sum of all bare costs (material, labor and equipment) of the applicable line items from the cost guide (typically RS Means). A localization factor for the cost is also generally applied (typically RS Means CCI – City Cost Index)
For example: Units x (bare material cost + bare labor cost + bare equipment cost] x Localization Factor [CCI factor] x [contractor's applicable coefficient] = Total price to the Government -
How do we get started if we’ve never had a JOC program?
You may wish to locate a consultant to prove initial JOC set up service. We can help you establish specifications for this search. As with any construction delivery method it’s important to conduct an evaluation of current capabilities and potential requirements, facilitate “Stakeholder” buy-in, assess in-house design capabilities, and to determine types of project to be included. Additional considerations include price guide selection/development, software requirements, procurement processes and procedures, and development of contract documents. -
What are the differences between JOC contracts and other traditional contracting methods?
Major differences are time, cost, collaboration, transparency, and longer term relationships. JOC methods reduce project schedules by as much as 60%. Bidders must have a more complete understanding of the contract. Both bidders and owners use unit price cost guide / reference cost database and localized cost factors, and jointly scope projects. -
What has been the success of JOC contracting methods in specific markets?
The DOD / military sector has used JOC contracts since 1985 on billions of dollars of construction projects. Most JOC contracts are for repair, remodeling, renovation, and sustainability / green work with typical individual average project values ranging from $25K to $350K. JOC programs, however, typically have five (5) year terms and can total $300 million or greater. -
Who is using JOC?
JOC is continuing to grow within the DOD sector, and experience rapid adoption and growth across Municipalities & Cities, Colleges and Universities, K-12 Public & Private Schools, State Agencies, Correctional Facilities, Transportation Agencies, Airports, Hospitals, and Research Facilities. -
What’s the difference between construction cost estimating, and construction cost engineering”?
Construction Cost Estimating is the process/service of determining the future cost of a construction project/program for a new building, or the repair, maintenance, renovation, or renewal of an existing building (or other physical infrastructure asset – dam, roadway, bridge…) computed on the basis of available information. The use of a reference construction cost databases (for example, RSMeans, combined with local knowledge is typically considered “best practice”.
Construction Cost Engineering is the process/services of creating cost data (for example, reference costs, cost databases and/or costing algorithms) for the purpose of for construction, repair, maintenance, or capital planning purposes. Cost engineering is an area of engineering practice concerned with the “application of scientific principles and techniques to problems of cost estimating, cost control, business planning and management science, profitability analysis, project management, and planning and scheduling.
e4Clicks Project Estimator let’s estimators be estimators, not cost engineers -
What are defensible construction estimating procedures that help improve accuracy?
A repeatable estimating process using available standards and technologies and the use of a reference cost database are important considerations. Lack of standardization is a root cause of waste, miscommunication, and errors in construction cost estimating. The value of technology to enable data storage and reuse, as well as support a repeatable estimating process and promote sharing of information is well supported. While using standardized reference cost database that strictly adheres to and fully supports cost data standards such Uniformat II and MasterFormat04 is also important. For example, the CSI MasterFormat, Uniformat II, and RSMeans cost data combine to provide an extremely valuable “checklist” for cost estimators. Custom or modified cost line items can also be better maintained and reused by linking them to RSMeans costs and/or City Cost Index localization factors to help support standardization for estimate sharing, and to minimize “missing” items.
Scope of Work “Checklist” - Review the Scope and/or Bid Form. Are there any specific requirements such as price/quantity breakdowns, Unit Prices, Alternates, Bid options, etc. Review site – existing structures, grading, layout of the project, laydown area, entry & exit to the site and any construction phasing requirements.
Electronics Takeoff “Procedures & Checklist” – If you are using electronic drawings confirms backups, settings and scales (double check scale by measuring the longest dimension on the drawings to make sure it’s correct and to know the accuracy). Create and maintain a record of document PDFs, and/or other formats – Drawing number/name, scale, scale checked with dimension.
Clear identification of task – Estimator must be provided with the project description, ground rules, assumptions, and technical and performance characteristics. The estimate’s constraints and conditions must be clearly identified to ensure the preparation of a well-documented estimate.
Broad participation in preparing estimates-All players / constituencies should be involved in deciding needs and requirements and in defining parameters and other characteristics.
Availability of valid data – multiple sources of suitable, relevant, and available data should be used. Data should be independently verified for accuracy, completeness, and reliability. Relevant, historical data should be used from similar systems to project costs of new systems. The historical data should be directly related to the requirements.
Standardized structure for the estimate – A standard work breakdown structure, as detailed as possible, should be used, refining it as the cost estimate matures and the system becomes more defined. The standardized structure helps ensure that no portions of the estimate are omitted and makes it easier to make comparisons to similar project.
Provision for program uncertainties – Uncertainties should be identified and allowance developed to cover the cost effect. Known costs should be included and unknown costs should be allowed for.
Recognition of inflation – The estimator should ensure that economic changes, such as inflation, are properly and realistically reflected in the life cycle cost estimate.
Recognition of excluded costs – All costs associated with a system should be included; if any cost has been excluded, it should be disclosed and given a rationale.
Independent review of estimates – Conducting an independent review of an estimate is crucial to establishing confidence in the estimate. The independent reviewer should verify, modify, and correct an estimate to ensure realism, completeness, and consistency.
Revision of estimates for significant program – Estimates should be updated to reflect changes in a system’s design requirements. Large changes that affect costs can significantly influence program decisions.
Adapted from GAO Cost Assessment Guide, 2007 -
How did 4Clicks get started?
I (Michael Brown) started as an Air Force plumber with bad handwriting, and wrote a software program to help me estimate in SABER. Then, I went to work for a nationwide 8A contractor that grew from less than a half dozen contracts to well over 30 in a few years. When that small company was sold, I decide to go out on my own. So when we say "By Estimators for Estimators™" this is not just a catch phrase, its real and from the ground up. And we continue workting that way today, getting hundreds of suggestions from the brightest and most awesome clients anyone could be blessed to work for and with. Our little company has grown to now serve most Air Force bases, and we are rapidly being recognized as the leading DOD construction cost estimating and project managment software. We are now also being used by the Army, Army Corps of Enigeers, Defense Intelligence Agency, NASA, National Park Service, and other government agencies, as well as thousands of contactors, subcontractors, and A/E's. -
How do I decide if I should get e4Clicks Basic, Pro or Premier and what are the differences?
As with anything we purchase there is an investment and expense. We developed three solutions for the market, e4Clicks Basic, Professional and Premier. e4Clicks Basic is used primarily by small contractors and owners who only want to estimate, it has a few less tools than Professional and Premier and no support for contract and document managment. It gives you the same abiltiy to produce quick estimates and export to Excel, PDF and paper. Our typical user is a single estimator, a subcontractor to a prime or an owner who wants a low price point tool such as e4clicks. e4Clicks Professional is used by a majority of the contractors; it has extended estimating, document, specifications, contract and project management features and eTakeoff Pro. e4Clicks Premier is used by the owers that want to manage multiple contracts, contractors, pricing books and complete electronic technical evaluations and track project milestones and eTakeoff Premier plan viewer.