AUGUST 2025CONSTRUCTIONTECHREVIEW.COM8IN MYOPINIONDiscussions about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in construction often focus on design workflows like generative design or man-aging active construction sites. However, a frequently overlooked yet critical area is the procurement process, particularly, the buyout phase. This step is pivotal to a project's success, as errors in procurement can have long-term consequences on timelines and budgets. Successful general contracting (GC) companies ensure that seasoned professionals handle project buyouts, emphasizing the mantra: "You can't fix a bad buy. We have to buy the job right."When scope gaps occur, the repercussions are immediate and disruptiveBuying the job right means capturing every detail in the drawings and ensuring all scope items are accounted for. Procurement managers face the challenge of reviewing these details under tight deadlines typically 4-5 weeks or even less for smaller projects. Meeting these deadlines is essential, whether for public government contracts or private projects under a Master Service Agreement (MSA). Overlooking details can lead to costly gaps where trade contractors either miss critical tasks or assume responsibilities that weren't clearly defined. For example, a superintendent might call a Project Manager (PM) to clarify who owns a task, halting progress because a trade contractor claims the work wasn't in their scope. After reviewing the drawings with the procurement manager, the PM may discover the scope was overlooked, leading to delays and added costs. These scenarios strain client relationships, often forcing difficult conversations about contingency funds or unexpected expenses. Scope gaps frequently arise in areas where drawings contain incomplete or unclear details and notes. These issues often necessitate Requests for Information (RFIs), stalling progress while waiting for design team clarifications. Such delays can cascade through a project, disrupt contractors on-site and potentially impact project reserves.Artificial Intelligence: A Game-Changing OpportunityAI offers a transformative solution to these challenges. Just as tools like AutoCAD and Revit reinvented workflows in the 1990s, AI can reshape procurement processes. Imagine an AI-powered tool that scans drawings and specifications to flag scope gaps or inconsistencies before they escalate. These tools can act as a second set of eyes for procurement managers, ensuring no detail is missed while streamlining the buyout process.The potential benefits include faster and more accurate procurement workflows, fewer costly mistakes and stronger alignment between design and construction teams. AI, BRIDGING THE GAP: HOW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (A.I.) CAN REVOLUTIONIZE PROCUREMENT IN CONSTRUCTIONBy Ramon Parchment, Project Manager, AECOM Tishman [NYSE: ACM]Ramon
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