Resources

Client Alerts, News Articles, Blog Posts, & Multimedia

Everything you need to know about BMD and the industry.

Vaccinating Against Design and Construction Risk: A COGENCE Alliance Momentum Recap

Client Alert
March 18, 2021

Last month, COGENCE Alliance hosted a four-day conference, attended by owners, affiliates, construction managers, trades, engineers, and architects. David Scott presented and other BMD team members hosted breakout discussions on how to “vaccinate against design and construction risk.” Groups discussed new and developing risks, how to mitigate those risks, and qualities of those who best adjusted to the new and developing risks.

Aggregated Risks in 2019. In 2019, COGENCE gathered information from the six industry segments (owners, affiliates, construction managers, trades, engineers, and architects) to first identify risks from each discrete group’s perspective. Next, COGENCE ranked the identified risks to determine which risks were most significant. Finally, COGENCE worked together across industry segments to identify habits to help mitigate risks and improve projects. The ten greatest risks aggregated across industry segments included: (1) communication; (2) contracts; (3) leadership; (4) schedule; (5) budget; (6) team members; (7) changes; (8) financial; (9) quality; and (10) due diligence.

Changing Risks with COVID-19. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, some of the risks identified by the various industry segments in 2019 quickly changed. Reports from breakout rooms indicated that new and different risks were resultant of the pandemic. For example, industry segments identified new risks associated with an elevated standard of care with heightened expectations and design for occupant safety, as well as new safety and sanitation protocols. Other risks included those related to cybersecurity due to increased remote work, as well as the evolution and need (or lack thereof) for space, such as physical offices.

New Risks with COVID-19. The breakout rooms also discussed how existing risks had morphed. For example, communication, the greatest risk identified pre-pandemic, posited new challenges including Zoom fatigue, complex logistics with site visits, as well as an increase in difficulty to collaborate due to a loss of “serendipitous” communications. Other changes to existing risks included budgetary concerns, particularly relating to the cost of PPE, HVAC improvements, and WELL certifications.

Mitigating New and Changing Risks. To address the new and developing risks, the breakout rooms discussed how to mitigate certain risks, which included more frontend planning, running through project stress tests (e.g. check technology and remote access), and developing more robust onboarding protocols to integrate new team members. Other mitigation plans revolved around communication, specifically ensuring consistent communication, standardizing how teams communicate (email, videoconference, phone call, text), following up after meetings, and identifying issues early and often.

Adapting to New and Changing Risks. The breakout rooms concluded by discussing those who have been most effective in adapting to the new and developing risks of the pandemic. Groups identified that those who demonstrate care and concern for their team members, as well as those willing to seek information and consequently learn and adapt had best weathered the new challenges in design and construction.

If you have questions or need more information regarding design and construction risk, please contact Construction Law Member David Scott at dmscott@bmdllc.com (614.246.7514).

Health LawHealthcare LawHospital LawCOVID-19krista warrenDavid Scott
Client Alert

Supreme Court Issues Major False Claims Act Decision

June 5, 2023Client Alert

Telehealth Flexibility Updates: HIPAA, DEA, and CMS

May 12, 2023The Covid-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) officially ended on May 11, 2023. But what does that mean for telehealth, a field that expanded exponentially during the PHE? Fortunately, many of the flexibilities will remain intact, at least temporarily. This client alert presents a brief overview of the timelines that providers need to follow, but for a more comprehensive review of telehealth flexibilities and when they will endClient Alert, Multimedia

WEBINAR SERIES RECAP | Ending the Public Health Emergency + Post-Pandemic Check-Up

May 10, 2023Some may take the position that the rest of the country already returned to a new “normal” following the COVID-19 pandemic.  But healthcare providers continue to implement COVID protocols and navigate the ever-changing healthcare regulations at both the federal and state levels.  It is important for healthcare providers to take time for a “Healthcare Check-Up” with the start of 2023 and the ending of the Public Health Emergency (“PHE”).Client Alert

Sharp Rise in False Claims Act Cases - Navigating the FCA Waters

May 5, 2023Recently, on April 18, 2023, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments regarding the FCA’s scienter, or mental state, requirement. To prove violation of the FCA, the statute requires that a defendant “knowingly” file false claims for payment. The term “knowingly” is defined within the statute to mean a person that acts with actual knowledge, deliberate ignorance, or reckless disregard. Circuit courts are split on how to interpret and apply the knowledge element of the FCA, and based on the Supreme Court’s decision, there will be a large impact on healthcare defendants and their businesses as well as anyone who contracts with, or receives money from, a federal program. A broader interpretation of the FCA would unnecessarily target and stifle healthcare, and other businesses, for simple errors in daily operations. This goes against the intended application of the FCA, which was to prevent fraudulent activity.Client Alert

Areas of Opportunity in Columbus: Highlights from the Columbus Opportunity Summit

May 5, 2023On April 27, 2023 Columbus Business First held its annual Columbus Opportunity Summit, bringing together business and economic development leaders to provide an update on how Central Ohio is preparing for expected growth in the coming years, an issue heightened by the arrival of Intel at its 1,000 acre site in Licking County, just outside of Columbus. The site will be home to two new chip factories with room to grow to a total of eight factories and is a $20 Billion investment.
Older posts