City of Chicago, Central Area Circulator Light Rail Transit Project, Program Management Support Services Contract

The City of Chicago, Central Area Circulator (CAC) Board, was responsible for design and build of an 18-mile, $770 million Light Rail Transit System serving downtown Chicago, and immediate areas just north and south of downtown Chicago. Capital funding for the project was provided by the Federal Transit Administration, the Illinois Department of Transportation and local businesses within the defined boundaries of the Chicago Central Area. (The project was terminated before any construction was performed due to a shortfall in state funding.)

From initial project start-up through near completion of final design, LSG, as a subcontractor to Chicago Partners, Inc., the Program Management Consultant to the CAC Board, was responsible for the project controls and administration functions for the project. LSG served in the lead role for the following functions:

Prepare and implement Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Prepare and manage project budget, cost estimates and master program schedule Prepare and maintain management and administration procedures Prepare project progress reports Participate in funding agencies quarterly review meetings Participate in CAC Board briefings Manage and control project documents

Administer professional services contracts Coordinate public affairs program Personnel management support Computer LAN/WAN support Office administration Database development and data entry Meeting scheduling and logistics support Project office closeout

"The compensation to LS Gallegos was a Cost Plus Fixed Fee, but this did not limit their desire to control costs. LS Gallegos delivered within budget and monitored the overall project budget watching for warning signs.

Not only did LS Gallegos provide excellent personnel for their positions, they were responsible for strategic staffing of the project management team, providing job descriptions and direction to other subcontractors regarding positions to be filled.

I was very pleased with their performance. I would gladly hire LS Gallegos again."

Steve Schlickman, Executive Director
Chicago Central Area Circulator Board