Common Misconceptions About JOC: Separating All the Noise
Job Order Contracting, or JOC, has become one of the fastest‑growing project delivery systems for facility owners who manage ongoing construction, renovation, and repair needs. Yet despite its popularity, some decision‑makers hesitate to use JOC because of misunderstandings about how it works. Like many specialized procurement tools, JOC is surrounded by industry myths. Some of these come from outdated experiences, while others stem from confusing it with more traditional design‑bid‑build contracts. Clearing up these points can help owners and contractors make better decisions and fully leverage the strengths of JOC. Myth #1: “JOC is more expensive than traditional low-bid because you’re not bidding every single project.” This is, by far, the biggest and most persistent myth surrounding JOC. On the surface, the logic seems sound: if you don’t bid out every project, how can you be sure you’re getting the lowest price? The reality, however, is that “lowest bid” and “lowest cost” are...