By Samuel Allen, C.M., ACE
Airport Operations Manager and AOA Safety Consultant
Whether personally or professionally, everyone needs a little help sometimes. Unlike personal help, professional help on the AOA often comes in the form of certified and qualified contractors.
For high-stakes projects, particularly on the airfield, correct selection of a contractor is often just as critical as the work itself.
Why is that? And what is the ideal scenario for airports and contractors alike?
Networking is a hallmark of many industries. Both the airport industry and aviation in general are small worlds in which relationships and reputation are often some of the key factors leading to consideration for projects.
While there are certainly procurement/contract rules dictating qualifications and selection criteria, the inherent “wiggle room” that airports have in selecting contractors can allow these intangible factors to be brought toward the front of the list for consideration variables.
The qualities that make the ideal contractor for most on-airport construction projects can be as deep and widely diverse as the contractual fine print. However, some common tropes seen throughout airport projects revolve around the following:
- Well qualified and diverse experience for the type of work solicited
- Positive reputation from past work of similar types
- Willingness to work with the airport on specific phasing/schedule requirements
While qualifications and reputation somewhat speak for themselves and could be considered almost universal for work considerations whether airport-related or not, what does it mean to have to “work with the airport” on specific items?
Airports are a sum of their parts … airport staff, air traffic control, airlines, cargo, military, general aviation, etc. All stakeholders around the airport want things done in specific ways for only specific intervals.
This is the key to balancing expectations and managing the airport environment for airport management.
When construction is added into this balanced environment, the equilibrium of normal life is disrupted; the mission of airport management is to conduct the project with the minimal amount of disruption and for the shortest duration possible.
A contractor that not just works with these conditions but puts effort into having these be at the very core of the project’s phasing plans is an essential foundation to success.
From an airport perspective, the great thing about a contractor like Alder is putting an emphasis on taking care of both the airport and the project equally.
Too many times, realigning priorities during a project or after an incident is painful, lengthy, and expensive (both for time and money).
A proactive approach to the airport’s needs along with an emphasis on relationships, safety, and efficiency are a winning combination.
Alder’s focus on the people of a project rather than just the dollars and cents can make all the difference.