The U.S. infrastructure sector experienced an unprecedented surge in government funding recently, creating both opportunities and challenges for contractors seeking to secure large-scale projects. STACK customer PCL Construction, a globally renowned multi-billion-dollar General Contractor, has refined its approach to preconstruction, bidding, and project execution to stay ahead in this competitive landscape. In this exclusive interview, PCL shares the strategies that have propelled its success, from early client engagement and collaborative delivery models to leveraging STACK’s cutting-edge Takeoff & Estimating platform.
What strategies have been most effective for PCL Construction in securing U.S. infrastructure contracts amid the recent boom in government funding?
One of the strategies that has been effective for us is ensuring we have a plan long before the project is advertised. We meet with the client, consultant and other stakeholders to get as much information about the project as possible; not just technical details, but information such as how the client defines a successful project, what matters most to them, and what drives their decisions in selecting a contractor.
We’ve also shifted from hard bid procurement to more collaborative delivery models, which allows us to be more effective and efficient.
How does PCL differentiate itself from competitors when bidding on large-scale infrastructure projects?
At PCL, we differentiate ourselves by creating trust with our clients and partners. One of the ways we do that is by providing a wide range of preconstruction support to the owner, including multiple open-book price model options at several stages throughout design development. We perform risk assessments and provide options for mitigation or avoidance, value-added proposal options for material and/or schedule savings and virtual construction so the client can better visualize the project. We regularly collaborate with the client and designer to focus on the owner expectations, staying engaged in design development.
Can you share a recent success story where PCL Construction excelled in delivering a large infrastructure project?
The North Water Treatment Plant in Gilbert, Arizona is a $600 million construction manager at risk project that really lets our specialized water infrastructure skills shine. From equipment to materials to gathering owner input during preconstruction, the whole process came together smoothly.
What lessons from that project have shaped your approach to future bids?
Not solely from this project, but we’ve learned success takes good people committed to quality. People who are knowledgeable in their work and who value relationships, including from the client, designer and contractor perspectives.
"Preformatted assemblies in STACK allow us to generate a nearly unlimited amount of additional information and derived quantities driven from user-created custom formulas, saving a magnitude of time spent on takeoffs and enabling us to spend that time solving major constructability issues."
How has adopting STACK transformed PCL’s preconstruction process?
STACK has made it easier to collaborate between estimators across disciplines within the same drawing set, enabling us to identify and highlight potential constructability issues early that might slip by in the usual methodology of each estimator staying in his or her own “silo” of work.
Also, dynamic quantity manipulation through design iterations can be done very efficiently by modifying the geometry to update the derived quantities attached and linked to the estimate.
Infrastructure projects often come with significant risks. How does PCL mitigate these challenges during the preconstruction phase? What role has STACK played to reduce uncertainties or optimize project planning for these projects?
We start by creating a comprehensive list of items (materials, site, constructability, labor, unforeseen conditions, etc.) that may affect the project and addressing them in the price model.
We use STACK to coordinate underground utilities between different disciplines (electric, process, fire protection, potable, sanitary, etc.) on separate drawings. It’s a powerful tool that enables us to identify interference and develop project phasing.
How does STACK integrate with other tools or workflows within PCL to create a seamless preconstruction process?
STACK quantities can be directly linked to our estimating software and be retrieved with a command on the toolbar, eliminating repetitive data entry and allowing for updates and edits as design progresses.
How does con tech enable your teams to focus on high-value tasks rather than repetitive or error-prone activities?
Preformatted assemblies in STACK allow us to generate a nearly unlimited amount of additional information and derived quantities driven from user-created custom formulas, saving a magnitude of time spent on takeoffs and enabling us to spend that time solving major constructability issues.
What’s next for PCL in terms of innovation and maintaining its competitive edge in the infrastructure sector?
We will continue building a culture of collaboration and trust focusing on early engagement during preconstruction and on using technology to provide real-time data to our clients. Our ongoing commitment to excellence and delivering a high-quality project within budget continues to set PCL apart.
As PCL continues to push the boundaries of innovation and efficiency in infrastructure construction, its commitment to collaboration, trust, and technology remains central to its competitive edge. By embracing tools like STACK and focusing on early engagement with clients in the preconstruction and design process, PCL is optimizing project delivery and setting a new standard for excellence in the industry.
