Planning to build or upgrade a laboratory? From EPC to LSTK and DB, project delivery terms can quickly get confusing.
In this guide, we break down what each model means, specifically for laboratory construction, so you can choose the right one for your project's technical and compliance needs.
| Acronym | Full Name | Key Concept & Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| EPC | Engineering, Procurement, Construction | - Contractor delivers the complete facility under one contract, including design, procurement, construction, and commissioning. - Clear scope, single responsibility, suitable for labs needing tight coordination (e.g. HVAC, cleanrooms). - Compared to EPCM, less owner control but greater cost/schedule certainty. |
| Turnkey | Turnkey Contract | - Contractor delivers a fully completed, operational lab. - Emphasis on "ready-to-use" handover; minimal owner input during execution. - A project outcome concept; often overlaps with EPC or LSTK but not identical. |
| LSTK | Lump Sum Turnkey | - Turnkey delivery with a fixed price. - High cost/schedule certainty; contractor assumes risk. - EPC can be reimbursable, LSTK is always lump-sum. |
| EPCM | Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management | - Consultant manages engineering and procurement; owner leads construction. - Owner retains flexibility and control, ideal for highly customized labs. - Contractor doesn't build; more owner responsibility than EPC. |
| PMC | Project Management Consultant | - Independent advisor managing quality, cost, and compliance. - No direct execution; acts as owner's representative. - Unlike EPC/EPCM, no contractual control over construction or vendors. |
| DB | Design–Build | - Single entity handles both design and construction. - Integrated delivery improves coordination of complex lab systems. - Unlike EPC, may allow more flexibility in vendor/equipment selection. |
| BOT | Build–Operate–Transfer | - Private firm finances, builds, operates lab, then transfers ownership. - Suited for public-sector labs needing long-term delivery without upfront costs. - Asset is returned to owner at the end of the term. |
| DBO | Design–Build–Operate | - Single party designs, builds, and operates, but ownership remains with the client. - Contractor responsible for performance during operations. - Like BOT but without private financing or asset transfer. |
| BOO | Build–Own–Operate | - Private entity builds, owns, and operates lab indefinitely. - Full privatization; used when government doesn't seek asset ownership. - Unlike BOT, there is no planned transfer of ownership. |
| FEED | Front-End Engineering Design | - Pre-construction study defining scope, design criteria, and cost. - Captures lab-specific needs early (cleanroom class, MEP integration). - Not a delivery method but a planning phase before contracting. |