/MVD Setting a New Pace for Partnering

Mississippi Valley Division felt a decline in partnering concern and impetus. Rather than stand by and watch a basic tenet of good business relationship building fade away, MVD took action. An unprecedented partnering initiative has been launched in MVD.

Beginning through meetings with the Mississippi Valley Flood Control Branch of AGC, a joint issue resolution committee was developed to bring partnering back in focus. This team took several significant actions including drafting standard language for use in construction contracts. The most significant action, however, was the planning and execution of a Division-wide partnering session between leadership of the Corps and leadership of the AGC. The Commanding General, MG Phillip R. Anderson, as well as the President of the AGC Branch, Bill Carder, participated in a full-blown, formally-facilitated partnering session. All six MVD District Engineers, Chiefs of Contracting and Chiefs of Construction participated. Twenty three leaders from the contractor community represented AGC.

This partnering session begins an historic relationship with contractor partners in MVD. Communications lines were refreshed and a new understanding of mutual interests was defined. It was only a day and a half but it laid the foundation for a strong relationship to be built. A partnership agreement was signed, documenting the principles, values and mutual objectives of the partnership. This initial MVD wide partnership will spawn district partnership meetings in each of the six districts.

MVD Challenges the rest of the Corps to refresh its knowledge and embrace of partnering. It is a basic business relationship approach that is indispensable for our success. We can’t build our projects without the contractor community so let’s optimize our potential for success through partnering.

POC for this action in MVD is J. Leo Phillips, 601-631-5096.