DAGS Headquarters at the Kalanimoku Building
DAGS COMMITTEE: Solutions for State Construction Projects Start with Conversations
June 2022
Working on any construction project, no matter how large or small, can be challenging without ongoing communication between owners and contractors. That’s why the GCA’s Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) Committee plays such a critical role in bringing the state’s project leaders and contractors together on a quarterly basis to find solutions to thorny issues.
"They (DAGS leaders) will come to us with questions and will ask us what we think."
Brad DeMuesy, Project Manager with Hensel Phelps, is currently the chair of the DAGS Committee after serving as its vice chair for 2020 – 2021. During that time, he has seen a shift in the relationship between DAGS leaders, including the Deputy Comptroller and the Chief Technical Services Officer, and GCA members.
“They (DAGS leaders) will come to us with questions and will ask us what we think,” Brad said, noting that in the past there was not as much open dialogue prior to making a decision. “We now have a process of elevating issues to work more collaboratively with DAGS at the project level.”
Brad added that having clear and concise resolution processes in place helps to reduce legal claims and costly litigation, which is especially important for small contractors.
Whether it’s a project delay or determining the start date for warranties, these types of scenarios have a more pronounced negative impact on all contractors. These situations can create cash-flow challenges and place such a severe financial strain on smaller contractors that they run the risk of going out of business, Brad explained. He said DAGS takes these types of situations seriously because small contractors are able to offer better prices on the state’s array of smaller projects that are under $1 million.
The GCA DAGS Committee is especially valuable for these small contractors to collectively have a stronger voice and is helping to foster stronger, win-win relationships between the agency and GCA member companies.
If you’re a GCA member and interested in joining the Crops of Engineers committee, please contact Gladys Hagemann at info@gcahawaii.org.
YOUR COMPANY NOT A MEMBER? Apply here