EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) companies are responsible for designing and constructing some of the most complex bridges, buildings, energy grids, power plants, etc – in the world.

The cost of the design for a new Kansas City International Airport has nearly doubled since a developer was picked in September 2017 in a very open, if chaotic, process. Now, Chicago is going with a completely closed process to pick the designer of a new terminal at O'Hare International in a process that's just as bad.

Five design teams have been picked as finalists for the $8.5-billion revamp of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. They are Fentress-EXP-Brook-Garza Joint Venture Partners; Foster Epstein Moreno JV Joint Venture Partners; Santiago Calatrava LLC; Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill (SOM); and Studio ORD Joint Venture Partners.

The American Institute of Architects’ advice to building-product manufacturers and material suppliers: Improve your websites, provide free, product-related continuing education to design firms and hone your expertise on your offerings to strengthen your rapport with your customers.