CITY OF CHICAGO

The City of Chicago realized a need for a comprehensive facility condition analysis, complete with state-of-the art data management systems for the FCA data. A nation-wide search was conducted to locate the optimum solutions for the city. The city recognized that the need was for a combination of qualified inspection personnel and an easy-to-manage, user-friendly database management system.

A rigorous search process revealed that while the database management system was important, the primary need was actually obtaining the objective of accurate assessments of city facilities. It was in this area where the qualifications of ISES were shown, and the result was the selection of ISES for the FCA project.

Following our selection, the first step was assembling an FCA team. ISES demonstrated its inherent flexibility by locating qualified local MBE / WBE firms to assist in the project execution and satisfy local procurement requirements. The inspection process then began in earnest, with ISES personnel not only inspecting facilities, but training the local firms in our methodologies and procedures to assure consistent quality throughout the project.

The total project work scope eventually covered over 300 city-owned facilities. In addition to inspecting these facilities, ISES documented information relative to over 100 leased facilities. The ISES database system is also being utilized to manage data relative to facility security systems. ISES is currently modifying the database system to allow for management of building maintenance contractor and tenant contact information for the varied facilities operated by the city.

One of the unique aspects of this project was the fact that ISES was not only required to inspect facilities, but also called upon to actually help develop an inventory of facilities. At the outset of the project, a comprehensive facility inventory was not available. When ISES finished the project, a total inventory was available, including facility names, addresses, numbers, and the GSF of each individual facility.