ASCE Gainesville Branch May 2026 Lunch & Learn

Presentation Description- The Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Construction Cost (EOPCC) is a key planning tool supporting budgeting, funding, and award decisions for infrastructure projects. This presentation outlines best practices for developing realistic, defensible EOPCCs aligned with project maturity, market conditions, and professional standards while limiting engineer liability. Topics include the role and limitations of EOPCCs versus formal estimates, use of cost classification systems (ASTM E2516 and AACE 18R‐97), and setting appropriate cost expectations at design milestones. Emphasis is placed on current unit costs, historical bid data, documented assumptions, and proper inclusion of contingencies, allowances, soft costs, and commonly overlooked items. The presentation also examines the relationship between EOPCCs, municipal budgets, and bids, reinforcing that EOPCCs should reflect probable average costs rather than understated values, supporting informed decisions and reducing financial risk.

Presenter Description- Sean Menard is a Project Engineer with Jones Edmunds & Associates, Inc. He graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering and a Minor in Mathematics. He has worked with Jones Edmunds since 2015 in roles as an Engineer Intern, Engineer, and Department Manager. After serving as Department Manager for 2 years, Sean wanted to focus more on technical design and engineering. He returned to a Project Engineer role and has primary strengths in hydraulics, pump design, and general wastewater design engineering including water quality, treatment, storage, and distribution facilities. He has served as Engineer of Record for various projects across the state of Florida including pump stations, wastewater treatment plants and their components, transmission pipelines, water and wastewater disinfection systems, underground injection control well surface facilities, and construction activities.

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