About Early Contractor Involvement (ECI)
Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) is an approach where Builders are engaged early during the design stage to facilitate integration of design and construction process, through early collaboration between the Employer, consultants and Builders. There are different models of ECI and they vary from each other depending on the stage where the Builders become involved.
As the ECI process requires efforts from Builders, Consultants and Employer, it is encouraged to consider adopting ECI in projects of larger value and/or more complex in nature or if there are benefits in having the contractor’s early inputs into the design.
ECI models for public sector construction projects
There are three different ECI models identified for public sector construction projects and they vary from each other depending on the stage where the builders are involved. Based on the nature of the project, one of the following models can be adopted.
| ECI models |
Inputs by builders |
| Design & Build (D&B) |
Develop full design (Arch, C&S, MEP) based on design brief |
| Design Development & Build (DDB) |
Develop detailed design, including C&S and MEP, based on architectural concept design |
| Design Bid Build with Early Contractor Involvement (DBB-ECI) |
Provide alternative design solution(s) based on full design |
Details on the ECI models can be found in the
Guide for ECI procurement methods for public sector construction projects.