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Over the years, O’Connell & Lawrence, Inc. (O’C&L) has earned a national reputation as a leader in providing construction consulting services. Our range of expertise includes scheduling, dispute resolution, litigation support, construction management, and engineering. Our staff consists of an experienced group of registered construction specialists, engineers, and surveyors with expertise in the preparation and review of construction cost estimates, construction contractor claim and delay/impact analyses, constructability reviews, expert testimony, civil engineering, and specialized surveying operations.
Claims Review and Analysis
O’C&L specializes in the preparation, examination, evaluation, verification, and final analysis of construction contract claims. Our staff has extensive experience analyzing and evaluating the causes, effects, and responsibility for construction delay on complex projects. When involved during construction, O’C&L’s basic strategy in addressing claims is anticipation, avoidance, mitigation, and then preparation or defense of the claim. To that end, we perform detailed research and comprehensive analysis of disputed issues and the responsibilities of the owner and the contractor related to each issue.
Schedule Preparation, Review, and Analysis
O’C&L routinely assists clients in comprehensive project planning by way of CPM schedule preparation or review, and analysis of schedule methods. Through a combination of commercially available software, specially adapted programs, and in-house software we offer CPM schedule analysis/comparisons that furnish workable options for minimizing the impact of delays, controlling costs, and expediting the project completion. These same tools are utilized to analyze projects after completion and to prepare or analyze detailed schedule analyses.
Expert Testimony and Litigation Support Services
As court and board recognized experts in engineering, construction, scheduling, delay analysis, and construction productivity O’C&L staff members typically analyze the contract requirements, project performance (what actually happened and why), and provide a well-founded opinion on the causes and effects of the disputed issues.
An integral part of our construction claims preparation or review and construction schedule analysis involves the preparation of charts, graphics, and other exhibits in support of our positions. Through our in-house computer graphic capabilities and our expertise in computer spreadsheet and database applications we are able to provide presentation services to our clients.
Constructability Reviews
“Can this project be built using these documents?” That is the question on the minds of owners and contractors alike. To answer this question, constructability reviews are incorporated during the project design phase to improve construction by minimizing errors and omissions, reducing delays, and controlling costs. These reviews involve the integration of construction knowledge and experience during all phases of the project development process. O’C&L is staffed with construction consultants who possess the specialized expertise in design and construction necessary to conduct such a review. In performing a constructability review O’C&L conducts an analysis of the plans, specifications, estimates, and cross sections to determine the constructability of the project. We then work with the construction partnering team to manage a construction sequencing approach that incorporates consideration of project and site requirements, and the specific needs of the client. Our expertise in analyzing plans for constructability reviews is often utilized when evaluating plans and specifications during the preparation of review of claims.
Construction Inspection
O’C&L has a successful history of providing construction engineering and inspection services to various public and private sector clients. Our inspectors and professional staff are thoroughly familiar with all aspects of highway and bridge construction and maintain a high level of professional concern for inspection quality. They have been selected for their experience, training and professionalism. As a result of numerous seminars and training sessions, our personnel are distinctly qualified and hold various certifications including Troxler, Work Zone Safety, and Erosion and Sediment Control.
Training and Seminars
O’C&L conducts training seminars on the latest project management and analysis methods and CPM scheduling. We provide instruction to clients with diverse backgrounds and levels of experience. Our seminars are designed to meet the specific needs of the client and assist participants in gaining an overall understanding of the construction process.
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