The Construction Playbook requires that 'Operators should be engaged early and continuously' in the project lifecycle and that 'Transition to the operator will include a 'golden thread' of building information to allow safety to be at the forefront of operations' (p.68). Over 81% of review participants consider that frameworks should do more to drive whole life value procurement.
81% of review participants say frameworks should drive whole life value. |
Review participants note the reluctance of many clients to invest in a whole life approach to procurement that would enable digital information to improve the safe and efficient operation of built assets. Participants link this reluctance to their perception that most public sector clients manage their capital and operational expenditure separately and, as a result, find it challenging to evaluate and implement whole life solutions. Whole life value is described by one supplier participant as 'the unattainable Holy Grail' of procurement.
There is an important role for Gold Standard framework providers and managers to play in providing guidance, training and support that helps clients and suppliers to understand and explore the full potential of BIM and other digital technologies and the related benefits of whole life procurement.
|
YORhub reports that it 'provides information for users on BIM and YORhub frameworks facilitate BIM. Suppliers appointed to the framework are expected to have BIM capability, and YORhub supports and encourages users and suppliers to develop their understanding and capability regarding BIM.' |
Gold Standard clients and framework providers consider in their strategies and pre-procurement consultation enquires how the safety, performance, sustainability and value for money of framework projects and programmes can be improved over the entire asset lifecycle by the 'golden thread' of building information being passed on from the design team to the facility operator via the contractor.
The procurement of Gold Standard frameworks makes clear how digital technologies and whole life procurement are integral to delivering the Playbook's cross-cutting priorities of improved building safety and net zero GHG emissions as well as improved efficiency and client outcomes. Framework providers and clients should evaluate proposals from prospective suppliers as to how they would use digital technologies to create a golden thread of information that supports whole life asset management.
A Gold Standard framework contract enables digital technologies to be used in conjunction with whole life procurement. It structures the contractual systems that govern call-off, value improvement and risk management so as to integrate the digital contributions that comprise the golden thread of information exchanges, retention and management over the whole life of the framework assets.
|
Recommendation 12: Create a whole life golden thread of asset information using BIM and other digital technologies integrated under a framework alliance contract To improve performance, safety, sustainability and value for money over the whole life of built assets, this review recommends that framework providers, clients, managers and suppliers use BIM and other digital technologies to standardise data generation, classification, security and exchange and to retain and manage a golden thread of building information, and that framework alliance contracts support these actions by integrating the information management systems of clients, suppliers and supply chain members. |
Specific actions include:
Framework strategy
■ Consider:
■ how digital technologies can improve value and reduce risks
■ how the framework can deliver client outcomes by standardising the approach to generating and classifying data, data security and data exchange
■ how the performance, safety, sustainability and value for money of projects and programmes can be improved through the effective retention and management of the golden thread of building information being passed on from the design team to the facility operator via the contractor
■ how a common framework of standards and protocols will enable secure, resilient information sharing across organisations and sectors.
Framework procurement
■ Evaluate supplier proposals to improve performance, safety, sustainability and value and to reduce risks through the development and use of digital technologies.
Framework contract
■ Structure the systems for call-off, value improvement and risk management to:
■ implement approved supplier proposals to improve performance, safety, sustainability and value and to reduce risks through the development and use of digital technologies
■ integrate the whole life retention and management of digital contributions to the golden thread of building information so that it is passed on from the design team to the facility operator via the contractor
■ integrate a common framework of standards and protocols that will enable secure, resilient information sharing across organisations and sectors.