1. Design Build

The first design approach is typically referred to as design-build, where the Owner (assisted by the consultant) identifies a series of key performance and functional requirements for the end project/facility, as well as a conceptual site layout and possibly some level of specific equipment specifications.  The contractor that is hired to develop the facility would then be required to develop the detailed construction drawings – including obtaining jurisdictional, Owner and consultant approval – and then construct the project according to the design-build specifications and his approved drawings.  The basis for award could be low bid, subjective evaluation, or some combination thereof.

Fuel Solutions projects typical of this design method include the municipalities of Alhambra, and West Covina, Sacramento International Airport (CNG), Santa Monica Bus LCNG, Barstow LNG/LCNG, and the Riverside Transit Agency facilities in Hemet and Riverside.

2. Engineered Build

An evolution of the design build is the engineered design or complete design approach, where our role as consultant is to prepare a comprehensive set of fully engineered and sealed design-construction drawings (per the Owner’s end functional/performance requirements), and obtain construction approval for the drawings from building- and fire-department jurisdictions.  The Owner then distributes these drawings and accompanying specifications, as bid documents to contractors, resulting in the awarded contractor (usually the low bidder) constructing the project in strict accordance with the plans and specifications.

Fuel Solutions projects typical of this design method include Simi Valley Transit, the City of Coronado, Sacramento International Airport (LCNG), and the large 4500 standard cubic foot per minute (SCFM) transit-fueling facility for the City of Mesa (AZ).

3. Design-Build-Maintain-Operate (DBMO)

The third and most unique design-development strategy that Fuel Solutions has almost single-handedly developed (as a competitive solution for CNG infrastructure) is the ‘fuel provider’ approach, also called design-build-maintain-operate or ‘fuel provider’, since he is responsible for constructing and operating the system that produces CNG.

This strategy initially looks similar to design-build, in that the design of the facility infrastructure is based on performance specifications and a preliminary site layout that is also prepared by the consultant.  However, this approach calls for the contractor to also operate and maintain the facility on a long-term basis (typically five to ten years) on the Owner’s behalf, and be responsible for all labor and material costs associated with scheduled and unscheduled repair, consumables, rebuilds, failures, wear and tear, etc.  The contractor is then compensated per unit of CNG consumed by the Owner, based on a fixed schedule of CNG-fuel cost that is bid by the contractor prior to award.  This design strategy typically calls for liquidated damages to be paid by the contractor in the event that the facility does not meet the performance requirement – throughout the term of the 5-10 year contract term.  LDs are a strong ‘incentive’ for the contractor to design and implement durable, reliable and serviceable equipment/facilities, as well as to implement aggressive preventative-maintenance procedures.

This strategy has the benefit of providing more stable and predictable CNG-facility operations costs, which are typically competitive with commensurate costs that the Owner would have incurred had they maintained O&M responsibilities.

Fuel Solutions projects typical of this design method include Los Angeles County MTA, New York City Transit, the City of Burbank and Fresno Area Express (LCNG and CNG).