Project Size
- Location: Miami, Florida
- Facility: Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building
- Project Size: 244,000 Square Feet
- Facility Type: Cancer Research & Clinical Facility
Meraki Services
Furniture Investment Strategy
- FF&E Budget & Procurement Audit
- Cost Management, Budgeting & Benchmarking
Procurement & Design Integration
- Furniture Strategy, Design Due Diligence & Risk Advisory
- Product Evaluation & Program Refinement
FF&E Project Management
- Process Protocol, Scheduling & Vendor Management
- Procurement, Purchasing & Supply Chain Management
- Installation Oversight & Construction Integration
- Quality Assurance, Project Closeout & Day-2 Continuity
These services established a project governance framework integrating procurement, budgeting, construction coordination, vendor accountability, and field execution while protecting budget, schedule, and design intent.
Challenges
- Budget pressure resulting from pricing volatility, procurement exposure, and evolving project requirements
- Complex coordination between furniture vendors, electrical systems, and construction trades supporting powered furniture installations
- Protecting approved specifications while avoiding unnecessary value engineering
- Managing schedule-sensitive procurement decisions within an active healthcare construction environment
- Strengthening vendor accountability while minimizing downstream project disruption
Meraki Solution
Meraki performed an independent FF&E Budget & Procurement Audit followed by implementation of a comprehensive Furniture Management strategy integrating budgeting, proposal analysis, product evaluation, specification governance, change-order containment, scheduling, procurement coordination, construction integration, and field oversight. The engagement improved procurement controls, strengthened vendor accountability, optimized budget performance, and protected project objectives without compromising design intent or schedule.
Outcomes & KPIs
- 9.4% project savings realized within the first 30 days
- 170% ROI on Meraki consulting fee within the first 30 days
- Budget optimization achieved without changes to design intent
- No impact to the project schedule
- No contract modifications required
- Eliminated the need for value engineering through proactive specification governance
- Reduced procurement risk through strategic change-order containment, including avoidance of tariff-related cost exposure
Business Value
Meraki transformed a high-risk FF&E program into a controlled and predictable delivery process through an independent Budget & Procurement Audit and disciplined Furniture Management. Within the first 30 days, the engagement delivered measurable cost efficiencies while preserving design intent, maintaining schedule integrity, strengthening vendor accountability, and eliminating the need for value engineering. The result was a more resilient procurement program that protected both the University's capital investment and long-term project objectives.
Additional Project Complexity
Meraki coordinated procurement, scheduling, and field execution across four furniture dealers, multiple manufacturers, and construction trades while maintaining schedule integrity, protecting design intent, and minimizing project risk.