COVID-19 Specimen Collection, Testing, & Vaccination Program

On-Call Contract, New York, NY

To aid the City in its response to the COVID-19 threat, the DDC’s Division of Public Buildings contracted with Armand to serve in a Design/Build
relationship to provide preconstruction, construction, and construction
management services, issued on a work order basis.

Specimen Collection: Armand provided engineering and other design
services to supplement the services provided by a design firm under
separate contract with the City. Armand’s experience in managing
emergency projects, enabled us to source out and assemble a team of
12 Inspectors, estimators, and schedulers within 24 hours of receipt of
notice to proceed from DDC.

Specifically, and in order to expedite the construction of each specimen
collection facility, Armand provided all services necessary and required
for the supervision, management, coordination, and construction of
multiple COVID-19 specimen collection sites throughout Brooklyn,
Queens, and Staten Island under a Design-Build delivery method. Project
sites were assessed, plans developed, and construction executed within
an expedited schedule, typically ranging from 7-10 days. Initial site
assessments were typically performed by a team of 2-3 persons, with all
field information being distributed to the design team same day. Plans
were developed in 1-2 days.

Armand managed the procurement process from RFP to Bid/Award
with 1-2 day bid periods. Construction was completed within 2-3 days
of award, and in accordance with standard construction practices,
applicable codes, and compliance with the grant requirements of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”). All required
permits and signoffs were obtained through NYC Department of
Buildings, NYC Department of Education, and Health and Hospitals
Corporation.

Vaccination Sites: Armand provided all services necessary and required
for the supervision, management, coordination, and construction of
multiple mass vaccine distribution sites.

Project sites were assessed, plans developed, and construction
executed within an expedited schedule, typically ranging from 7-10
days. Initial site assessments were typically performed by a team of 2-3
persons, with all field information being distributed to the design team
same day. Plans were developed in 1-2 days.

Armand managed the procurement process from RFP to Bid/Award
with 1-2 day bid periods. Construction was completed within 2-3 days
of award, and in accordance with standard construction practices,
applicable codes, and permits and signoffs were obtained through
NYC Department of Buildings, NYC Department of Education, and
Health and Hospitals Corporation.

Armand was charged with furnishing and installing low temperature
medical grade freezers required for vaccine storage in each site and
arranging an un-interrupted power supply through existing buildings’ emergency power or by providing supplemental gas-powered generators.
The low temperature freezers were commissioned by one of the industry
leaders in laboratory equipment services to ensure the accuracy and
stability of the set point temperatures required for vaccine storage. Vaccine
temperatures are currently under 24/7 monitoring using additional wireless
temperature probes to eliminate any risk of stored vials impairment.

Armand develops specialized analysis techniques which provide powerful
tools to quantify impacts on a construction schedule. Our team looks at
the project from all perspectives. We synthesize the scope with the clients
and shareholders, identify the regulatory authorities and jurisdictions,
and complete detailed inspections of all aspects along with a thorough
understanding of the history and significance of each project. Through this
process, our team develops comprehensive master schedules to illustrate
the relationships between multiple resource-intensive projects in order to
facilitate the optimum utilization of personnel, capital, materials, and space.

Schedule slippage can be avoided by recommending strategies such as use
of double shifts during daylight savings time to maximize available work
hours, and the use of crews to work on multiple tasks concurrently to avoid
schedule conflicts.

Armand’s quality services include reviewing contract plans and specifications
and determining compliance of material and workmanship by the
construction contractor. Our services also include submitting daily quality
assurance reports as well as written results of inspection and tests. Armand
develops quality assurance plans for the project and monitoring reporting,.