Construction projects must be processed through Facilities Planning and Construction for:

1. Building code compliance and issuance of building permits
2. Project management
3. University and Board of Regents policy and procedure compliance
4. Centralized permanent records
5. Cohesive architectural design of campus and design guidelines compliance

The following guide outlines the various steps and approximate time frames required to initiate, plan, design, and build a construction project at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). This applies to the UNL city and east campuses, as well as the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Centers across the state. Facilities Planning and Construction assists University departments and involves them in decision making throughout the process. A construction project is defined as any new building, building renovation, building addition, building remodel, major building repair, exterior site work, or infrastructure project. Maintenance projects under $15,000 that involve only the replacement or repair of components of existing facilities and that do not require design and specification by architects or engineers may be directed to the Facilities Service Desk at 472-1550.

Facilities Planning and Construction is a professional service office within the Facilities Management and Planning Department. This area, consisting of Facilities Planning and Architectural and Engineering Service units, contributes to the physical development and enhancement of the University by planning, designing, and managing construction projects. Facilities Planning manages the project initiation and project definition phases of construction projects. Architectural and Engineering Services manages the design, specification, bidding, award, construction, warranty and closeout phases of construction projects. All University construction projects must be processed in accordance with this section in order to ensure compliance with University procurement and contracting policies, state and national building and life safety codes, and accessibility codes. Conformance with this guide is also required so that good planning, design, and construction standards appropriate for the long-term interest of the University are maintained.

Requests for additional information or assistance should be directed to the Director of Facilities Planning and Construction, the Manager of Facilities Planning, or the Manager of Architectural and Engineering Services, who are located at Facilities Management and Planning, 1901 Y Street, 0605, 472-3131.

The Planning, Design and Construction Process

Planning a Project?

Go to http://fmp.unl.edu/ and click on "How to request an estimate for construction" or call Facilities Planning and Construction (FP&C) at 472-3131 and ask to speak with a Facilities Planner. A Facilities Planner will help you define the scope and cost of your project. After working with the Facilities Planner, you will receive a written scope of work and cost estimate.

If your project is estimated under $500,000, an FP&C Project Manager will be assigned as soon as funding is received. The Project Manager will review the project schedule with you and meet with you to begin the design process.

Projects over $500,000 require approbals from the UNL administration, followed by a program statement that is approved by the Board of Regents. A Facilities Planner will manage this process for you. After the program statement is approved, the design and construction process can begin.

From the design phase through the end of the construction and closeout phase, a Project Manager will coordinate all aspects of the project with you.

Range* of duration for projects UNDER $500,000

Range* of duration for projects OVER $500,000

* Range depends on size and complexity of the project.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Communicate (UNL point of contact) with all project participants which include:
   • The user department
   • Architects and engineers
   • Contractors
   • UNL Building Code Official
   • UNL and Central Administration
   • UNL Entities (Telecommunications, Utilities, Environmental Health and Safety, Parking Services, Landscape Services, Moving Services, Campus Planning, Police, Aesthetic Review Committee, Purchasing, Inventory, Vending Services, Police, Maintenance, Custodial, etc.)
   • State Fire Marshal
   • State Health Department
   • State Elevator Inspector
   • 309 Task Force
   • Aesthetic Review Committee
   • Project Review Board
2. Manage the scope, budget and schedule of the project to ensure compliance with what was approved and funded.
3. Adhere to Board of Regents and University policies and procedures for construction projects.
4. Manage architect selection process
5. Manage CM/GMP or Design Build selection process
6. Prepare Board of Regents agenda items for requesting approvals and reporting project milestones.
7. Negotiate fees with architects and engineers that are within project budget limitations.
8. Prepare contracts for architects and contractors.
9. Attend project meetings with all architects, user department and others every week or every other week to monitor progress of project.
10. Review work of architects and engineers, coordinate reviews by all interested parties and send all comments to the architect. Require incorporation of comments into the design.
11. Review and approve architect/engineer pay applications.
12. Bid construction projects, coordinate advertising, printing, addendums, analyze bids and recommending award of contracts.
13. Manage removal of asbestos prior to start of construction.
14. Prepare construction contracts.
15. Obtain building permit.
16. Conduct Preconstruction conference with all interested parties.
17. Inspect construction work to ensure compliance with construction drawings and specifications.
18. Attend project meetings every two weeks or every month with user department, architect, contractor and others to monitor progress of project.
19. Review and approve contractor pay applications.
20. Coordinate change orders.
21. Review and approve contractor shop drawings and submittals with user department and architect.
22. Coordinate purchase of furniture and equipment with user and Purchasing
23. Coordinate with Telecommunications to install equipment.
24. Coordinate with Landscape Services to install landscaping.
25. Coordinate procurement and installation of interior signage.
26. Coordinate substantial completion and move in with contractor, user and Moving Services.
27. Obtain as-built drawings from the contractor and architect.
28. Obtain operation and maintenance manuals from the contractor.
29. Review Punch List, completion and approve final payment to contractor.
30. Review warranty items and claims against the contractor.
31. Reconcile accounting, budget and close out of project.
32. Manage claims against the architect/engineer and contractor for defects within the ten-year statute of limitations period.