Partnering Within the Public Buildings Service

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 
                Washington, DC 20405

  PBS 3400.16A CHGE 1
December 3, 2020
 

GSA ORDER

SUBJECT:  Partnering Within the Public Buildings Service

1.  Purpose. This Order establishes partnering as a preferred management process to be used on projects developed by the Public Buildings Service (PBS).

2.  Definition. Partnering is a management process that promotes successful project development and execution through voluntary commitments to accomplish established agreed-upon project objectives by all involved parties to their mutual benefit.  

3.  Background.

     a.  PBS has successfully used partnering on major projects in the nationwide construction program. When properly understood and implemented, partnering has been proven to make productive partners out of potential adversaries. The client agency, General Services Administration (GSA), architect-engineer, construction manager, construction contractor, and subcontractors must function as a team challenged to resolve problems through cooperation and mutual respect.

     b.  Partnering has become a common practice in the design and construction industry, and its use by PBS will be consistent with our policies to be compatible with private-industry practices.  

4.  Cancellation. This Change Order cancels and supersedes GSA Order PBS 3400.16A, Partnering Within the Public Buildings Service, dated June 30, 1994, revalidated March 5, 2014.  

5.  Coverage. This Order applies to new construction and repair and alteration projects within PBS in excess of $10 million estimated construction cost (ECC). Partnering should be used in all stages of facility delivery, i.e., planning, design, and construction. Regions are encouraged to use partnering on projects of less than $10 million ECC when appropriate.  

6.  Policy.

     a.  All contract solicitations for projects covered by this Order shall contain a provision explaining the partnering concept and encouraging the successful contractor and its subcontractors to form a voluntary partnering relationship with GSA.   

     b.  If formal partnering agreements call for the use of third-party neutrals or facilitators, GSA should seek to share the cost of such services with the principal contractors when practicable.

     c.  Regions will work closely with client agencies and other parties having major interest in and/or influence on the project, within or outside GSA, to encourage their full participation and commitment to partnering as a mutually beneficial process to ensure project success. The composition of the partnering "team" shall be determined on a case-by-case basis, and may evolve during the project life-cycle.  

7.  Explanation of Changes.  

     a.  Change of Design and Construction Program to Office of Design and Construction; and 

     b.  Change of signatory to current PBS Commissioner.

 8.  Implementation. Partnering should be applied to those projects in excess of $10 million ECC and overseen by the Office of Design and Construction.

9.  Signature.

/S/                                           
DANIEL W. MATHEWS
Commissioner
Public Buildings Service