Early Contractor Involvement (ECI)

What is Early Contractor Involvement?

Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) is a collaborative procurement approach where contractors are engaged during the design stage to better integrate the design and construction processes. Through early collaboration between clients, consultants, and contractors, ECI enables contractors to contribute valuable construction expertise before finalisation of project designs. 

This procurement method recognises that contractors possess practical knowledge about construction methods, materials, and site conditions. Bringing this knowledge into a project early can improve project outcomes such as faster completion and lower project costs.

Three ECI Models for public sector projects

BCA has identified three ECI models for public sector construction projects, based on the stage at which contractors become involved:

When to adopt ECI?

ECI is particularly beneficial for projects that are:

• Complex in nature - Including projects with challenging technical requirements, constrained sites, or requires innovative construction methods

• Time-sensitive - Where early contractor input can identify potential construction issues and optimise project schedules

• Technically challenging - Projects requiring specialised construction expertise or innovative building techniques

How to adopt ECI?

For comprehensive guidance on implementing ECI procurement methods, including detailed procurement process and evaluation criteria, refer to the Guide for ECI Procurement Methods for Public Sector Projects [PDF, 837 KB].

The guide provides specific procedural frameworks for each ECI model, including:

• Pre-qualification requirements for builders

• Procedure for 1-to-1 discussion within the ECI process

• Tender evaluation using Price Quality Method (PQM)

• Non-disclosure agreement protocols

Next steps

Additional resources

• Price Quality Method (PQM) Framework: Standardised evaluation method for ECI project tender assessment, balancing price competitiveness with technical quality

• Quality Fee Method (QFM) Framework: Framework for engaging consultants in ECI projects, particularly relevant for DDB and DBB-ECI models

• For additional support on procurement methods and project delivery approaches, explore BCA's other progressive procurement frameworks or contact our team for project-specific guidance.

• Public Sector Standard Conditions of Contract (PSSCOC) and Collaborative Contracting - Collaborative contracting approaches that complement ECI implementation