SOCOTEC’s Schedule Delay Analysis & REA Provided for Epic Universe

KEY INFORMATION: 

Project name: Epic Universe

Client: Confidential

Location: Orlando

Services Provided: Project Advisory

SOCOTEC’s Schedule Delay Analysis & REA Provided for Epic Universe

SOCOTEC’s Georgia office assisted with a CPM Schedule Delay Analysis of an HVAC general contractor's work on the P904 Universal Epic Universe project in Orlando, Florida, where they identified substantial, high-level delays. The on-site review found that work on the new theme park was increasingly falling behind schedule, due to a subcontracted fireproofing predecessor’s work not being completed in a timely fashion, leading to an increase in the contractor’s workforce over a six-month period, according to SOCOTEC’s findings.

Jason McFadden took on the role of project manager, leading a team that included Greg Ball and James Highfill. Together, they provided expert analysis during an early evaluation that helped prevent subsequential delays by mitigating risk. Through its collaborative efforts with the Energy Air, SOCOTEC was able to provide comprehensive advisory services in helping client achieve a favorable dispute resolution.

SOCOTEC Provides Schedule Delay Analysis & REA

Litigation claims in construction projects often involve multiple parties and months of review and testimony. Engaging a single firm of expert witnesses such as SOCOTEC can improve coordination, issue validation, and communication between experts, leading to fewer gaps and duplications in scope. SOCOTEC’s Dispute Resolution team has industry and mediation expertise to help clients present unambiguous information. Energy Air was the General Contractor in this case. Honeywell and Duct Design and Angels Insulation were also listed.

Two of SOCOTEC’s specialties, Planning & Scheduling Services and Schedule & Contract Management, were utilized for the Epic Universe project. McFadden’s team contributed their expertise, detail, and focus in providing a preliminary analysis that helped client achieve better planning throughout the construction. A Schedule Delay Analysis helped quantify delays and disruption for which a Request for Equitable Adjustment (REA) was prepared for the client. The benefit of enlisting SOCOTEC during the construction phase, as well as during early stages of the claim, ensures mitigation assistance and resolution of any challenges that may arise in the project.

Schedule Delay Analysis Findings and Recommendations

For the Epic Universe case, Jason McFadden, Senior Managing Director at SOCOTEC’s Advisory practice, with over 20 years in the industry and a mastery in Schedule and Contract Management, has a knack for building dynamic teams and was instrumental in putting the team together. Director, Greg Ball, and Managing Director, James Highfill, both have considerable expertise in Schedule Delay Analysis, along with a combined industry experience of 75 years. Together, these industry experts found that the fireproofing work relied on by Energy Air had fallen behind schedule by 13-35 days, in most instances. This led to an increase in the company's workforce size, which averaged 55 workers on-site daily, from February to August 2023. As a result, there were subsequent accelerated working hours needed to meet the schedule, incurring workforce overtime.

SOCOTEC’s team analyzed the schedule for the Epic Universe project, which outlined evidence of delays, impact on the company’s work, and increased workforce costs. Based on the team’s findings the client was provided with an approach recommendation for equitable adjustment.

SOCOTEC’s Variety of Offerings

SOCOTEC excels in services that go beyond Dispute Resolution. SOCOTEC’s broader expertise also lies within the TIC (Testing, Inspection, Certification) industry in the construction and infrastructure sectors by coordinating teams to solve clients’ most complex problems. SOCOTEC offers six Service Lines: Building Envelope, Energy & Sustainability, Code & Planning, Dispute Resolution, Project Advisory, and Specialty Engineering.

SOCOTEC offers services and support across many areas of expertise. Within the advisory and litigation support services division, SOCOTEC has more than 120 experts across 11 offices in the US. SOCOTEC is experienced in numerous dispute resolution forums, including United States Federal and State courts, Canadian courts, other various foreign courts, and arbitration forums such as the American Arbitration Association (AAA), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), and London Court of International Arbitration.