Bridging Documents

A Vital Step in Your Design-Build Project

Bridging documents serve as the vital link between conceptual design and final construction documents in design-build projects. These documents establish the project’s design intent, performance criteria, and technical requirements, ensuring that the owner’s vision is preserved while allowing flexibility for the contractor’s design team. By setting clear expectations early, bridging documents reduce risks, improve cost control, and streamline the path to project completion.

Bridging Documents

Benefits

Define Project Goals and Requirements

Bridging documents provide a clear framework that communicates the owner’s vision, functional requirements, and quality expectations to all stakeholders.

Minimize Design and Construction Risks

Establishing clear performance criteria and design intent reduces misunderstandings, change orders, and costly delays during the design-build process.

Address Cost Control and Accountability

Bridging documents set the stage for competitive bidding and contractor accountability by providing a detailed, owner-approved project foundation.

What to Expect

Bridging documents are developed after the conceptual design phase but before final construction documents. Here’s what to expect:

* Every project is unique! Exact steps and services will vary.

1. Understanding Project Scope

We start by defining the project’s goals, performance requirements, and key design elements. This includes discussions with stakeholders to help ensure alignment on priorities and outcomes.

2. Developing Preliminary Plans and Specifications

The core of bridging documents includes conceptual drawings, technical specifications, and performance standards that outline the design intent and functional requirements.

3. Identifying Key Criteria

Bridging documents detail critical elements such as site layout, structural systems, utility requirements, and aesthetic considerations to guide the contractor’s design process.

4. Facilitating Competitive Bidding

With a clear framework in place, design-build teams can provide accurate proposals, ensuring competitive pricing and alignment with the owner’s expectations.

5. Supporting Contractor Coordination

During the design-build phase, bridging documents serve as a reference point, ensuring the contractor adheres to the established design intent and project requirements.

You’re Managing a Large or Complex Project

Bridging documents streamline coordination and accountability, reducing risks in large-scale or technically demanding projects.

You Need a Clear Framework for Competitive Bidding

With detailed performance criteria, contractors can provide accurate, competitive proposals that meet your project goals.

You Want to Maintain Control Over Design Intent

Bridging documents can help ensure that your vision and functional requirements are upheld while allowing for contractor flexibility in the design-build process.

Use Cases

Bridging documents are an ideal solution for owners managing complex design-build projects. If any of these scenarios apply to you, bridging documents could be the solution: