In the municipal water industry, control systems (sometimes referred to as
supervisory control and data acquisition [SCADA] systems) historically have been
provided using a traditional design-bid-build approach as the predominant project
delivery method. For instance, control systems are frequently bundled into plant
construction or upgrade projects. Control systems have become so well integrated
in these projects that owners, design consultants, contractors, and regulators
all understand how these systems work, and customers and political governing
bodies all accept the delivery process results. During the last several years,
however, growing pressure to provide high-performance, competitive services using
the best available technology has prompted utility providers to complete many
stand-alone control system projects using an array of non-traditional methods.
Non-traditional methods range from simple bidder prequalification to evaluated
proposals to design-build (DB). This paper discusses control system delivery
methods as they relate to case studies and provides a 'reality check' of the
proposed benefits of non-traditional project delivery methods. Includes 2 references, tables, figures.