The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Japan District (JED) regularly performs facilities related design and construction work in Japan for all military services and agencies. We recognize that you have a choice for the execution of U.S. funded appropriated and NAF projects. Utilizing our project management business process and project delivery teams we offer the following products and services to our clients and customers in Japan.
Selecting the best contracting method (i.e. the acquisition strategy) is vital for project success. JED's acquisition strategy is tailored to meet the objectives of the government and the customer. Understanding the customer's requirements are, of course, essential; some of the main requirements to be considered are:
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Size and complexity of the project
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Time and schedule
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Technical capabilities required of the contractor
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Best price or overall value for the Government
JED has a variety of existing contracting methods, each suited for differing purposes and situations. In addition, we believe it's important to feel the pulse of our customer's programs, to apply the knowledge of the contracting landscape, and to develop contracting tools that compliment each. Below are some of the main contracting tools that we have available. Please don't hesitate to contact us for discussion of contracting tools that may not be mentioned below.
Architect-Engineer (A-E) Contracting
In addition to our in-house design teams, the Japan Engineer District utilizes Architect-Engineer (A-E) contracts to meet the customer's needs for master planning, designs, or studies. U.S. and Japan-based firms can be used; this provides various options in obtaining both technical expertise and timely execution. A-E contracts are usually Indefinite Delivery Contracts (IDC) or Firm-Fixed-price contracts. Some of the Japan based IDCs have pre-negotiated "on-call" provisions that allow us to do single, short-fused task orders quickly and responsively. Project size can range from complete, complex design documents to more simplified, quick designs.
Construction and Services Contracting
IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity) Construction is a contracting means to accomplish "simple" or repetitive construction work. This method should be used when an extensive design is not required and/or when time is critical. The "Basic" IDIQ contract is set up for certain/specific geographic locations; it also outlines the construction labor rates and the types of construction/services that are allowed. Task Orders are then issued against the Basic contract when work/projects are required. Material & equipment costs are negotiated for each Task Order.
RFP, IFB and SAP (Design-Bid-Build Methods): In Design-Bid-Build, design and construction are contracted separately. The Design-Bid-Build method is typically suited for situations where control and results of the design prior to committing construction dollars is important. Typical contracting methods consist of the following:
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Invitation For Bid (IFB) - Award is made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. These are normally fixed price contracts.
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Request For Proposal (RFP) - Allows for factors other than price to be considered for evaluation such as past performance, experience, qualifications, and capability. Award can be made to the lowest price offeror that is technically acceptable or to the offeror whose proposal offers the "best value" to the government (with an analysis of trade offs in regards to price and evaluation factors).
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Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) - Award is similar to IFB, but is a more streamlined procedure for projects typically under $250,000.
Design-Build: In Design-Build (D-B), a single entity known as the design-builder is contractually responsible for the project's design and construction. In other words, the Contractor performs "cradle to grave" design and construction activities. The Design-Build method is typically suited for situations where time and schedule is important. Pre-positioned D-B contracts have been set up covering various areas of Japan; please inquire regarding your specific situation and geographic location. Typical D-B methods consist of the following:
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D-B Standalone provides one D-B contract (and one contractor) for one project.
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D-B Multiple Award Task Order Contracts (D-B MATOC) provide qualified construction contractors with indefinite delivery type contracts and competitive pricing. Task orders are typically competed amongst the D-B MATOC contractors. D-B MATOCs have been set up to cover all areas of Japan (except Hokkaido).
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Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) - Award is similar to IFB, but is a more streamlined procedure for projects typically under $250,000.
Maintenance and Service Contracts: JED develops facilities Maintenance and Service Contracts to outsource maintenance and minor repair services for the upkeep of facilities, equipment, grounds, and utilities. JED will write and prepare the Performance Work Statement (Scope of Work) for the maintenance and repair services required. JED will also prepare the solicitation package, advertise, and award the contract. If necessary, JED can provide Quality Assurance inspections and field supervision through our network of field offices. These service contracts are comprehensive in nature, and are typically awarded with a base year, plus up to four option years.
Environmental Services Contract: JED offers a wide range of in-house and contract services to satisfy our customers' environmental needs and requirements.
Engineering and Construction Services
The JED "difference" is our approach. With over 60 years of experience in designing and constructing facilities in Japan, we possess the experience in Japanese standards & specifications, regulations, construction practices, operation & maintenance requirements and culture that it takes to successfully execute your project. This coupled with our "reach-back" capability of employing the talents of almost 35,000 USACE employees worldwide ensures that your future needs are handled in the most effective and innovative way possible.
Designs and Studies
The Japan Engineer District has a staff of registered professional architects and engineers of every discipline capable of providing the entire range of engineering services and products that may be needed. We provide extensive one-on-one consulting services throughout the design process so that your project needs are considered and integrated. Let us know what you need, informally or with a pre-concept sketch, a DD Form 1391 or DA Form 4283 for example. Or request an on-site meeting to establish the scope of work and the schedule and estimated cost for design and construction.
We can perform the work with in-house professionals, go with local or U.S. based Architect-Engineer firms, or even call on centers of expertise in other Corps of Engineers Districts and Divisions. We have the desire and resources to do what you want and provide a quality product at a fair and reasonable cost, within time to meet your needs.
We provide specialized engineering consulting services in such areas as:
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Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP)
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Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) Compliance
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Fire Protection and Life Safety
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Sustainable Design
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Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
DD1391 Preparation
The Japan Engineer District's planning professionals can help you prepare any aspect of DD1391 project documentation for MCA construction programming and for OMA projects.
You identify the requirement and we tailor the support from our capabilities, including:
We submit the draft DD1391 for installation review and incorporate your comments, then transfer the form to the Installation Engineer organizations for completion signatures and submission to higher headquarters.
We are available to conduct technical reviews, gather data, and assist in the submission process, based upon your needs. The JED experts work in close coordination with project proponents to accurately identify user and project requirements. Installation planners permit specific access to the forms in order for us to modify them once they are in the command chain.
Value Engineering Studies
Value Engineering (VE) is an organized study of functions to satisfy the user's needs with a quality product at the lowest life cycle cost through applied creativity. VE can be devoted to reducing costs without sacrificing quality, aesthetics or operations or maintenance capability. VE studies are mandatory for Army Military Construction projects with Current Working Estimates (CWE) exceeding $2 million. They are optional for projects below this threshold and for all other services.
Call and explain what you would like to have value engineered. A meeting with the Value Engineering Officer (VEO) may be setup at this time. All information (i.e., scope of work, concept proposals, drawings, specifications, studies, as-built, estimates, etc.) concerning the system, project or item being proposed for the VE study should be available.
JED has at its disposal two methods of accomplishing a VE study: in-house or A/E contract. The technical experts of each Division within JED form the basis of the VE Team for in-house and individual efforts. If a full value engineering study is desired, the VEO will make a recommendation on how to proceed based on the user's need and USACE resources.
Value Engineering is a powerful problem-solving tool that can reduce costs while maintaining or improving performance and quality requirements. Not only does this make good engineering and design sense it is smart economics that ensures the "biggest bang for the buck" which is essential when funds and resources are limited.
"One Door to the Corps" - USACE Centers of Expertise
If you need Corps of Engineers expertise or assistance that is not available at JED, we offer our customers seamless access to the services of the entire Corps including Centers of Expertise and Laboratories. We will find the optimum way to provide Corps' support and arrange for assistance.
We offer you the synergy of The Japan Engineer District's engineering expertise with specialized depth and research capabilities of the entire USACE organization.
Construction Supervision & Administration
The Japan Engineer District offers a full spectrum of construction management services: construction oversight, quality assurance and contract administration. These services are carried out by our staff of project engineers and engineering technicians in field offices throughout Japan: Misawa, Kanagawa (Camp Zama), Yokota, Yokosuka, Iwakuni, Sasebo and Okinawa.
You may select from a variety of services to include:
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Management and monitoring of construction schedules and budgets
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Quality assurance and safety site inspections
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Review of shop drawings and material submittals
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Change order development and negotiations
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Warranty implementation and follow up
Cost for Construction Supervision & Administration (S&A) are charged either at a "flat rate" or "at cost" rate. The flat rate means that S&A income accrues as a percentage of the actual construction placement regardless of the actual cost of S&A for a particular project. "At cost" means that the Corps is reimbursed for the actual cost incurred in performing S&A activities for a particular project. The Military Construction Program (MILCON) S&A rate are charged at flat rate of 6.5%, the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) flat rate is 7.5%. Exempt projects such as NAF and some DeCA projects are examples of at cost programs; their S&A rates usually range from 8 to 10% depending on the size and complexity of the work.