See how this company’s “value engineering” services are helping government facilities around the world avoid costly delays and redesigns

by Brianna Crandall — July 14, 2017 — Michael Baker International, a global provider of engineering, planning and consulting services, just announced it was awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) to provide “value engineering” services for a variety of projects at worldwide Foreign Service posts. The projects will be managed out of the firm’s Alexandria office by a Michael Baker Certified Value Specialist (CVS) accredited by SAVE International.

Michael Baker defines “value engineering” as an organized approach for examining and improving engineering project services to reduce costs. Michael Baker has successfully provided value engineering and cost management services to OBO for more than 25 years, based on the firm’s proven experience providing multi-disciplined, value-engineering studies and technical-cost reviews of designs for OBO’s office buildings, hospital and campus-facility projects.

Michael Baker’s value-engineering team for these projects consists of subject matter experts in civil, architectural, structural, mechanical, cost estimating and electrical disciplines. For OBO, the firm’s specialized expertise also will be provided related to areas that cover interior design, landscaping, fire protection, physical and technical security, telecommunications, geotechnical, LEED, sustainability, life-cycle cost analysis and planning.

Mark Childs, CCP, PMP, Michael Baker vice president of Cost Management, commented:

Michael Baker’s Cost Management Division is pleased to be awarded this contract for the third time since 2005. Michael Baker’s value-engineering specialists continue to demonstrate their expertise related to their ability to identify and address wide-ranging expenses early in the design process. The corresponding recommendations made for modifications to procedures that avoid costly delays and redesigns are just some of the ways We Make a Difference for our clients across broad geographies.

Work is underway on this contract. The expected completion date is February 2022.

Michael Baker International’s engineering and consulting services include planning, architectural, environmental, construction, program management, and full life-cycle support services as well as information technology (IT) and communications services and solutions. The company provides support for U.S. federal, state, and municipal governments, foreign allied governments, and a wide range of commercial clients with over 6,000 employees in more than 90 locations across the USA and internationally.