Specialty Services

FURNITURE, FIXTURES & EQUIPMENT (FF&E)
CSL provides clients with a unique turnkey service by managing the complete planning and procurement of FF&E for new building construction, facility renovations and space upgrades. By working with us as a single point of contact, rather than with multiple outsourced project management firms, our clients realize significant cost savings. CSL project managers take on the complicated and time-consuming task of coordinating external vendors and internal client departments. By overseeing FF&E projects from the planning stage onward, we share our clients’ vested interest in achieving a successful installation and seamless transition to occupancy.

The CSL team has a proven record of success in:

  • Programming and Planning, including detailed needs assessments; implementing client standards; and developing new standards programs.
  • Sourcing, from our extensive supplier database to maximize buying power for furniture, lab, A/V, networking and office equipment, plus campus and auxiliary services.
  • RFP Document Development from our database of RFP documents that can easily incorporate any language required by a client for a specific project.
RFP Process Management, including RFP document issuance; procurement schedules; pre-bid conferences; vendor site visits; bid analysis; and contract negotiation, development and execution.
  • Order Expediting and Tracking to ensure the timely delivery of FF&E.
  • Installation and Close-out, including coordination of construction managers, vendors, design teams and internal client departments.

CAPITAL PLANNING
We believe that nothing is more critical to our clients’ success than expert planning. CSL works in partnership with clients on capital plans to help them achieve their objectives and reflect their mission and values. The approach CSL takes is distinctive: We apply a long-term view that not only assesses current conditions, but also anticipates future needs. Keeping the overall goals prominent, we provide detailed strategic planning, scheduling, budgeting and phasing, so our clients can make well-informed decisions based on the highest quality information. Our expertise in all phases of planning and construction allows us to anticipate issues, minimize risks, and bring insight and innovative thinking to every project.

PROJECT OVERSIGHT
CSL manages all aspects of capital projects to ensure that our clients’ goals are achieved efficiently and cost-effectively. We have an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of a project throughout its life span—from pre-construction tasks, such as selecting teams, procuring contracts and managing the permitting process—to maintaining schedules and implementing cost-control measures. Throughout every phase, we are committed to managing risk and ensuring quality and safety. Our capacity to think creatively, both logistically and technically, helps streamline processes and reduce problems during execution and construction.

CSL is uniquely equipped to manage projects that are complex and challenging in scope. We utilize the best talent for the project, and coordinate services among all stakeholders to offer our clients the best solutions. Additionally, our project managers are aware of mitigation issues during every phase of construction to proactively manage community relationships and protect our client’s interests.

PLANNING & LOGISTICS
When it comes to planning and logistics, CSL takes a proactive approach in order to provide our clients with every possible advantage. We don’t wait for construction documents to be prepared. We think ahead and incorporate a construction-level attitude early in the process to identify client risks and minimize public impact. We provide input on feasibility studies, taking into consideration field conditions. We perform a thorough review of logistics that occur within a construction fence. And we analyze how the project will affect logistics outside in the community, from city protocols to noise and emissions to neighborhood impacts.

In fact, CSL is the only construction consulting firm in the Boston area that specializes in mitigation services. Our mitigation team’s diverse knowledge encompasses design, engineering, construction, regulations, and LEED requirements. They have worked on all types of projects in major metropolitan areas, including tight sites and active campuses. They know what it takes to keep projects moving ahead by managing complex logistical requirements and facilitating communication between the client, neighbors, and the city.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION
CSL is dedicated to helping our clients manage the unique challenges presented by historic buildings. Because of our extensive experience in preservation, we are able to offer insight into renovation issues and provide creative solutions to complex rehabilitation problems. We have the utmost respect for historic buildings and understand that they must be treated with care. With that in mind, we gather input from a variety of sources, including city agencies, and explore and identify issues early on to minimize risks and mitigate costs. Our approach is holistic: we look at the project’s overall goals and processes to help clients invest in the right places to achieve the greatest effect.

UNIVERSITY LIFE
Our construction, renovation and mitigation management services have helped transform campuses across Massachusetts, allowing institutions to improve university life and attract students in one of the nation’s most competitive environments. We bring an astute knowledge of current trends and college amenities to every project, whether it’s a classroom, residence, dining hall, athletic facility, research lab or infrastructure upgrade. Clients benefit from our extensive portfolio and experience with master plans, quality control and cost cutting. We have the expertise to ensure that every project meets their schedule, budget and quality standards.

MEDIA TECHNOLOGY
From small conference rooms to large classrooms and auditoriums, CSL manages construction projects for state-of-the-art media installations and upgrades. We work in close collaboration with a client’s Media department, from start to finish, to ensure that internal guidelines are met in design and construction. From the outset, we develop an understanding of their specific needs and devise a long-term, flexible solution to accommodate their equipment, technology and space requirements. It is our goal to satisfy our client’s objectives and provide the very best user experience possible.

LABS
We recognize the critical roles of technology and safety in constructing these highly specialized environments. We work in close partnership with our clients in the academic and medical communities to ensure that all equipment specifications, infrastructure needs and safety regulations are met during every phase of the project. Our experience spans a wide range of facilities, including teaching and research labs, BSL2 and BSL3 for NIH and NSF grants, pharmacies, patient rooms and clinical trial spaces. For projects of every scope, we have a proven record of successfully integrating technology and specialized equipment into highly functional environments that benefit our clients and their constituents.

CORPORATE
CSL brings construction management expertise to corporate projects, including providing sustainable, cost-effective solutions to green initiatives. Our experience in risk management, technical problem solving, contract negotiation, and budgeting helps clients achieve greater efficiencies and cost-savings throughout the life of the project. We view the entire project from our client’s perspective, starting at the pre-construction planning phase, to provide design and construction solutions that benefit users and improve operational efficiency. We understand that unexpected challenges will arise during every project, so we make contingency plans to address issues head on. We are experienced at trouble-shooting and know how to minimize and often eliminate disruptions to our client’s operations. One of our greatest strengths is facilitating communication between teams and owner constituencies to ensure that every phase of the project runs smoothly.

RELOCATION MANAGEMENT

FACILITIES ASSESSMENT

CLERK OF THE WORKS

ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING PEER REVIEW

COST ESTIMATING

SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTING