The Kern Medical Center is a 307,000 SF acute care teaching hospital located in Bakersfield, California. The $10 million project consisted of the construction of a new 2-story concrete and concrete block central plant with a loading dock, toilet room, and control room. Construction included site work, installation of new site facilities and relocation of existing site utilities, new concrete pad for relocated medical gas storage, paving and grading at the existing parking lot, new steam generating system and new boilers, feed water accessories, steam and condensate piping, chemical treatment system, associated plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC), fire protection, and electrical work. The project started in January 2009 and was originally planned to be complete in July 2010 but due to delays did not finish until July 2012.
Spire was hired by the County of Kern to provide support related to and assist in responding to two requests for equitable adjustments (REA) by the contractor totaling approximately $4 million. Spire reviewed and evaluated the REA, worked with the owner and engineering team to define issues and determine causation, performed a windows analysis to identify critical path delays, evaluated the contractor’s REA, and prepared and delivered a presentation of findings during mediation. Spire also evaluated contractor and designer deficiencies and prepared responses to interrogatories. As a result of Spire’s efforts, the parties settled for an undisclosed amount in favor of Spire’s client.
Spire’s team of experts is comprised of experienced construction engineering professionals that understand the range of risks companies face throughout the dispute resolution process. From managing claims and quantifying damages to assessing productivity loss, calculating schedule delays, and evaluating standard of care, Spire’s litigation support experts analyze each particular dispute situation to ensure the best outcome for its clients.
Resolving construction disputes is challenging. From mediation to arbitration and litigation support, Spire can provide guidance in navigating the technical challenges throughout the dispute resolution process to provide your case the support it requires. Spire’s construction claims and litigation support experts bring years of hands-on construction experience to every dispute and render opinions that are clear, concise, and objective to help make the strongest case possible.
Spire’s construction claims and litigation support experts provide the following services: