The City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) established the Owens Lake Dust Mitigation Project in response to California State and Federal dust emission standards. Dust is being generated from the surface of the lake bed during wind events and is affecting air quality for the surrounding areas. Shallow flood mitigation techniques are being utilized to mitigate this dust.

Shallow Flood – This method of dust mitigation has proven to be very effective on past phases of the project, and another 9.2 square miles is being installed during Phase VII. Shallow flooding is designed to supersaturate the soil by bringing groundwater to the surface. The fresh water is being delivered to the lakebed from the LA Aqueduct via a closed pipeline loop approximately 30 miles long. The gravity-fed system pipes water to bubblers that act as sprinkler heads to wet the ground. This allows the soil to be moistened enough so that it is not affected by wind events.

The shallow flood system requires the installation of above and below ground high density polyethylene (HDPE) and welded stainless steel (WSP) piping ranging in size from 18” to 54”. In addition, turnout structures have to be constructed and outfitted with mechanical pads on which valves are mounted and connected to direct-buried electrical lines to be operated autonomously by a SCADA system. The construction is spread across a 100-square-mile site and requires intense communication and coordination among the Contractor, Engineer, Construction Manager, Owner and various utility companies and vendors.

KDG’s Document Control System, which utilizes Expedition Contract Manager 12.0, is designed to provide a “paperless” office. Using this system, KDG has been able to reduce the amount of paper used throughout the duration of the project by over 80%.

Project Responsibilities

KDG currently provides several positions on the Construction Management Team, including:

• An on-site Resident Engineer who, in conjunction with LADWP’s Construction Manager, coordinates and supervises construction management operations and procedures to ensure the project design is constructed within the overall quality, safety, schedule and budget requirements.
• An on-site Project Controls Engineer who monitors all computerized critical-path-method schedules and cost control of the Construction Contract, as well as processes change orders and pay applications and tracks construction progress.
• An onsite QA/QC Manager who is in charge of all on-site quality inspection supervision and reporting, coordination of the Contractor’s work, and monitoring and directing all on-site inspectors.
• An on-site Document Controls Engineer who is responsible for monitoring and directing the flow of all project correspondence, including submittals, requests for information, utility locate and survey requests, pay applications, change orders, drawings and other general correspondence including letters, transmittals and emails, and recording meeting minutes for all project meetings.
• An on-site Construction Administrative Assistant to provide administrative support functions and assist with document controls and submittal routings.
• A Concrete and General Inspector who provides day-to-day observations of the ongoing construction for general conformance to the contract plans and specifications, documentation of the findings, and communication of those findings to other parties involved.
• A Senior Cost Estimator to provide as needed estimating services for various aspects of the Owens Lake Dust Mitigation Project.

For a complete listing of KDG’s project experience, please contact us.

Glendale Water & Power (GWP) provides utility services in the City of Glendale through systems which include distribution stations, pumping plants, and related facilities. GWP’s Grayson Power Plant and Field Operations, collectively known as the Utility Operations Center (UOC), occupy a 33-acre site that is essentially the hub of Glendale’s utilities. The UOC is a functional property that is used extensively to provide water and electric utilities and support services throughout Glendale.

GWP has proposed a three phase, multi-year project to remodel and undertake new construction of electric, water, and general facilities and site improvements. In the design stages, GWP investigated several methods to attempt to reduce the amount of natural resources used by the existing facilities. These methods include reclaimed water usage, waste water treatment, storm water treatment, local public transportation, alternative fuel vehicles and construction waste management. Through the implementation of these methods, GWP announced their intention to pursue a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.

The first phase of the UOC site development plan includes the following projects:

• New 8,200-sf substation building with yard improvements
• New multi-level, 300-vehicle parking structure
• New 25- to 35,000-sf warehouse with a 16,500-sf canopy
• Expansion of a high-voltage electrical substation
• Water main installation and repair

Project Responsibilites

During the pre-construction phase, KDG provided constructability and maintainability review, cost estimating, value engineering, maintenance planning, and evaluation of bids.

During construction, KDG’s scope of work includes monitoring health and safety programs, quality assurance/quality control, site inspections and testing. The firm also handles master scheduling, budget analysis, document control and administrative support including payment verification, change order negotiation and cost control, and is responsible for record drawings and turnover packages.

For a complete listing of KDG’s project experience, please contact us.

The City of Los Angeles Department of Airports, also known as Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), issued a request for proposals for firms to perform on-call professional construction support services for various Airports and Capital Improvement Projects at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY). KDG was awarded the contract for the Other Airport Support Facilities and Infrastructure category.

Projects listed under this category include:

• LAX Central Utility Plant Support Projects
• LAX Airport Operations Center
• LAX Passenger Boarding Bridge Replacement
• LAX IT Infrastructure Construction
• Electrical and Mechanical System Replacement Upgrades
• IT Upgrades

Project Responsibilities

Due to the fact that the contract is for on-call support services, KDG’s exact responsibilities are diverse and varied. KDG’s Team has to be able to respond to a wide array of demands in a short amount of time. Possible responsibilities include:

• Construction Management
• LEED Consulting
• Estimating
• Cost Engineering
• Project Controls
• Document Controls
• QA/QC Management
• Site Safety Management
• Project Administration
• Office Management
• Utility Coordination
• Logistic Coordination
• Contract Administration
• Project Engineering
• Technical Specification Writing

For a complete listing of KDG’s project experience, please contact us.

HNTB and its joint venture partner, Yang Management, are providing design and construction management, program controls, value engineering, master schedule setup and updates, and cost estimating services for the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Facilities Modernization and New Construction Program. Under the $19.2 billion program, more than 800 schools will be built or modernized.

Project Responsibilities

KDG is currently providing a site safety inspector who is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the contractor’s compliance with Federal and State OSHA safety regulations (CAL/OSHA). In addition, he is responsible for implementing LAUSD’s Safety Program in conjunction with the Owner Controlled Insurance Program and LAUSD General Conditions. He conducts safety audits and surveys, observes and monitors contractors’ high risk operations such as crane lifts, aerial/helicopter lifts and scaffolding inspections. He coordinates with the Owner’s Authorized Representative, the Regional Project Management Department and other agencies in prevention and correction of potential safety hazards. Other duties include tracking accidents, near misses and conducting an accident/incident investigation and coordinating with OEHS in closing Corrective Action Notices relating to construction. He is also responsible for coordinating with Labor Compliance, OEHS and Risk Management Departments in generating and publishing reports for the Facilities Council Meeting and GOAL website.

For a complete listing of KDG’s project experience, please contact us.

KDG provides staff augmentation services to NV Energy to develop and maintain a program control system for all Generation and Distribution projects. In the Generation Division, KDG has managed the development and/or construction of seven (7) separate projects providing over 4.5 GW of energy to the Southwest United States. The projects have included gas-fired combined-cycle power plants, coal-fired power plants, peaking units and numerous renewable energy projects. In the Distribution Division, KDG has supported the development and construction of dozens of projects associated with NV Energy’s Capital Improvement Program. The agency’s distribution system controls more than 15,000 miles of transmission lines, and KDG has supported both maintenance of existing systems and construction of new systems.

Project Responsibilities

KDG’s responsibilities include implementing an enterprise wide program control system utilizing Primavera Project Planner and Expedition. The keystone of the system is the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), which facilitates the output of standard reports to management, the transfer of actual costs and the calculation of performance measurement indices. In addition to developing a 34,000-activity master schedule, KDG’s other major tasks include developing a system to capture actual costs, develop standard reports, develop a training program for the project controls staff, improve the process for updating project schedule information, set up customized reports for use on NV Energy’s intranet, and develop a staffing analysis system. KDG is also responsible for financial transactions, budget analysis and budget variance reports to the Board of Directors, senior management and the Public Utility Commission, and has developed audit procedures and processes for internal monthly labor.

For a complete listing of KDG’s project experience, please contact us.

The Sunrise Powerlink is a new electric transmission line proposed by San Diego Gas & Electric to be constructed between the Imperial Valley and San Diego. This new “energy superhighway” will be capable of handling the electricity needs of over 650,000 customers and help ensure a safe and reliable supply of energy for the region, and provide access to clean, renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal.

Project Responsibilities

KDG was responsible for developing the project schedule and providing monthly schedule status utilizing Primavera software. The schedule development included detailed land acquisition, detailed permitting and project entitlements, environmental mitigation and associated upgrades of existing facilities. Work arounds were developed and incorporated into the plan as required. The updated schedule was reviewed during the on-site monthly meetings between the Owner and Contractor.

For a complete listing of KDG’s project experience, please contact us.

The South Airfield Improvement Project (SAIP) is aimed to reduce the potential for runway incursion at LAX by constructing a new parallel center taxiway. To accommodate the new taxiway, the southern-most existing runway will be relocated approximately 55 feet south of its current location. The project will also include the relocation and replacement of the runway pavement, aircraft navigational and visual aids, and other associated site work such as utilities, lighting, signage, grading, drainage and structural improvements over the Sepulveda Tunnel. The project will reduce aircraft taxi and idle time, thereby reducing air emissions. The airfield modifications will also improve LAX’s ability to efficiently handle the new larger aircrafts coming into service, including the Airbus A380. The project is the first of the LAX Master Plan “green-lighted” projects, which incorporates several innovative practices to reduce environmental impacts. These practices include: recycling 100 percent of all material from the old demolished runway and incorporating them into the construction of the new runway, retrofitting all of the construction equipment to reduce noise and emissions and designing specific routes for service vehicles to travel to and from the construction site to reduce impacts to the surrounding neighborhoods.

Project Responsibilities

KDG provides scheduling, construction change order estimating and document controls, and is responsible for reviewing construction claims and mediating and resolving construction issues. The first phase of the project, which included the relocation of the southern-most runway, was completed on time and almost 6% under budget, saving LAWA over $15 million. In addition to finishing the second phase of the SAIP, KDG’s services were also requisitioned for the construction of LAX’s new Airfield Electrical Vault (AEV). For this task, KDG provides construction management services, including QA/QC and field engineering oversight. KDG staff members provide technical and engineering support and monitor the Contractor’s compliance with the building plans and specifications, coordinate the permit issues and approvals with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety and other LA County agencies, and manage the design, construction and schedule requirements with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The KDG staff also monitors the overall project schedule, reviews the Contractor’s schedule submittals, evaluates possible impacts and manages document controls including submittals, RFIs and monthly reports for the client. They perform job walks in which they supervise the engineers and inspectors, attend weekly project meetings and lead field meetings for quality control issue resolution.

For a complete listing of KDG’s project experience, please contact us.

Capital Improvement Program
The City of Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (DWP) is the largest municipally owned and operated retail water agency in the country and serves approximately 3.6 million people through a distribution system made up of 7,200 miles (roughly 650,000 meters) of pipe. However, many of its facilities predate World War II and were installed between 40 to 70 years ago at an original cost of $2.25 billion. As a result, DWP created the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to rehabilitate the City’s aging water system. The program consisted of five categories of facility improvements prioritized as follows: (1) water quality improvement projects; (2) infrastructure improvement projects, (3) water supply improvement projects; (4) support improvement projects and (5) seismic improvement projects.

Integrated Resource Plan
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) developed a long term, $1.8-billion repowering plan, called the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), to replace various electrical generation facilities throughout the Los Angeles area in an attempt to improve air quality as well as increase energy efficiency. Gas turbine units were installed at the Harbor and Valley Generating Stations and combined cycle units were installed at the Valley, Scattergood and Haynes Generating Stations. The Sylmar Converter Station replacement project included new control and protection systems along with main circuit equipment, and the Castaic Pump Hydro Station underwent a complete modernization.

Project Responsibilities

For both programs, KDG’s responsibilities included developing an individual program controls system to monitor the budgets and schedules for several hundred individual projects, each with up to five phases, while maintaining accurate, up-to-date information for management’s use in important decision-making strategies. The program controls databases interfaced with the existing DWP mainframe payroll and cost accounting systems to monitor actual versus budgeted costs for the projects. Resource and cost-loaded CPM schedules were combined in a Master Schedule and linked with an existing timekeeping system to measure labor performance as a function of budgeted, earned and actual labor hours. KDG also reviewed and approved contractor construction schedules and progress payment applications and processed change orders.

For a complete listing of KDG’s project experience, please contact us.

The Port of Los Angeles built Pier 400, the largest proprietary terminal in the world, to accommodate the world’s biggest container ships. The Pier 400 Project, dubbed “The Engineering Marvel,” was awarded the Distinguished Project Award for Infrastructure for 2003 by the Western Council of Construction Consumers. The Pier 400 Project Phase 1 construction included a 3-post Panamax-reinforced concrete wharf berth, 4,000 feet long and 1,000 feet wide, dredged to 55 feet of water depth and built to load and unload container ship cargo. The 343-acre container terminal storage yard backland had utilities built behind the wharf, featuring two advanced gate complexes, three operations buildings, and 15 facility support structures. The program also included a rail and highway traffic transportation corridor consisting of an on dock intermodal rail facility with a 12-track, 96-car-capacity loading yard and a 6-track, 126car-capacity marshalling yard that serves as the vital link for shore operations at Pier 400.

Project Responsibilities

KDG provided an onsite Program Master Scheduling consultant to implement project controls procedure, coordinate the resolution of progress schedule compliance issues with the owner, the construction manager and general contractors while ensuring that the design was constructed with the overall schedule and budget requirements. KDG prepared the Pier 400 Program Master Schedule Requirements and the project controls specification. KDG provided project controls oversight, developed the program master schedule, provided claims avoidance support, assisted cost control efforts, provided constructability studies, developed and maintained documentation control system, and provided support to manage the general contractor field progress performance in accordance with contract specifications.

For a complete listing of KDG’s project experience, please contact us.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) tasked KDG to create a 10-year master schedule for the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and to train LADWP personnel on maintaining and updating the schedule. LADWP is seeking to expand its RPS to increase the amount of energy produced and sold created from renewable energy resources. These resources include:

• Solar
• Wind
• Geothermal
• Biomass
• Small Hydro

Project Responsibilities

KDG is providing LADWP with programmatic scheduling services for LADWP’s RPS program to be used for the next 10 years. This high priority item will provide project controls that will enhance LADWP’s ability to manage and track a large number of renewable energy projects and ensure that the overall program is successful. The master schedule will include current proposed schedules and will be developed in such a manner to permit integration of numerous detailed project schedules at a later date. General tasks to be performed include:

• LADWP Interviews – Meet with up to 20 LADWP staff members to determine scope and cost of projects within the RPS and create a preliminary summary from these interviews.
• Summary Schedule and Recommendations – Create a Primavera conceptual Program Schedule at a summary level that reflects the overall RPS schedule for the next 10 years.
• Schedule Development – Develop a programmatic cost-loaded schedule to track resources, budget and expenses and key milestones.
• Training – Provide training to LADWP personnel for the ongoing maintenance and update of the schedule.
• Assist in Project Scheduling – Assist LADWP project managers in developing project schedules, including creating work breakdown structure (WBS), resource loading, budget and expense planning and integrating LADWP’s cost accounting system, budgeting system and work management information system.

For a complete listing of KDG’s project experience, please contact us.