Baker & Daniels Serving on Integrated Project Delivery Construction Team

Indiana University Health and its building team on the Riley Hospital for Children Simon Family Tower at IU Health have signed an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) contract for the design and construction of the remaining portions of the hospital addition, according to published stories by Business Wire, Medical News and Medical Construction & Design.

Baker & Daniels LLP is serving as the project team's legal counsel.

In keeping with the innovative leadership style of the organization, IU Health has created an IPD methodology to improve its project delivery process, the stories said. The methodology is focused on measurable outcomes that include improving patient outcomes, patient and staff satisfaction, and staff efficiency. The aim is to reduce first-time construction costs as well as life cycle operating costs.

The project team includes IU Health (client), BSA Life Structure (MEP design), Bright Sheet Metal (mechanical and ductwork subcontracting), Cripe Architects + Engineers (equipment planning), Ermco, Inc. (electrical subcontracting), HKS Architects (architectural design), Maregatti Interiors (interior design), Messer Harmon (construction manager), North Mechanical Contracting, Inc. (plumbing subcontracting) and Ratio Architects, Inc. (architectural design).

"This IPD project is unique because 100 percent of the team profit is at risk," said Donnie Reed, director of operations at Riley at IU Health and the developer of IU Health's IPD Program. "Conditions of satisfaction are being used to determine the amount of profit the team earns. Because of this, each team member has a stake in the game and is driven to provide the highest value and make the project a success."

IPD uses early involvement of key project participants, which enables cross-functional teams of designers and contractors to drive collaborative solutions throughout the entire project delivery process, according to the stories.

"We feel the IPD process will produce more reliable and consistent project results over traditional project delivery methods," Reed said. "The end result should lead to a reduction in design and construction costs compared to historic benchmark costs."

The first phase of the Riley Simon Family Tower at IU Health opened in January 2011, and the project is scheduled for completion in 2013.

Named among the "Best Hospitals in America" by U.S. News & World Report for 13 consecutive years, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of pre-eminent, patient-centered care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine - one of the nation's leading medical schools - gives highly skilled physicians access to innovative treatments using the latest research and technology.