Is there a role for both MACCs and MATOCs as well as JOCs and SABERs for achieving efficient public sector construction?
Maybe.
MACCs and MATOCs are for larger, more complex projects and should NOT be used for the numerous and ongoing repair, renovation, maintenance, and minor new construction projects facing public sector real property owners.
Nonetheless some Government agencies use MACCs and MATOCs because they don’t know how to use JOCs and SABERs appropriately. Or… unfortunately, simply because MACCs and MATOCs are easily to set up.
JOCs and SABERs provide better Government/Contractor relationships, and significantly higher levels of efficiency.
Unfortunately, on the other hand, MACCs and MATOCs generate the same environment and mentality as Design-Bid-Build, and thus the same levels of inefficiency and waste. Currently though, for larger, complex construction projects, MACCs and MATOCs and other similar, traditional mechanisms are all that is available.
At some point the Government will adopt Integrated Project Delivery for major construction projects, however, in the interim, the waste will continue. (Note: Design-Build has some advantages versus Design-Bid-Build, however, still has many of the same issues as well.)
As noted above, MATOCs and MACCs are simpler to set up and implement versus JOCs and SABERs. They don’t require collaborative atmospheres and “new” ways of thinking, nor do they require the level of financial transparency and work scope detail provided by a locally researched unit price book. Are these “advantages worth it? I don’t think so… do you?
MATOC/MACC Advantages
•Simple to implement
•Similar to DBB
•No special skill set required
•Assurance of quality contractors
•Easy to ensure competitive pricing
•Can be used for larger projects
•Streamlines post-bidding award, security clearances, etc.
MATOC/MACC Disadvantages
•Little room for innovation or collaborative process
•Must have full bid documents to ensure prequalified contractors are bidding “apples to apples”
•Spreads volume among many contractors, reducing operational efficiency
•One contractor can dominate, leaving lack of competitive pricing
•Contractors are higher quality, but DBB process and mentality remains
It’s your choice, but shouldn’t you at least learn more?
