A Standout Year: OrgMetrics at the IPI 2026 Collaborate Conference & Awards
On Thursday, April 30th, the International Partnering Institute hosted the 2026 Annual IPI Collaborate Awards & Conference for the 17th year in a row. This year’s awards recognized 35 projects representing more than $8.3B in value, spanning multiple states and including international work.
The awards ceremony was a standout moment, with OrgMetrics celebrating 10 award-winning project teams, including top honors for both innovation and strategic partnering. We’re proud to share OrgMetrics’ highlights from an exceptional evening of recognition.
Sue Dyer Innovation Mindset Award
The Sue Dyer Innovation Mindset Award recognizes teams that embody this spirit—bringing collaboration, experimentation, and shared leadership together to deliver meaningful results. Selected from the innovation category of Project of the Year submissions, these teams transform bold ideas into practical, scalable solutions that raise the bar for the industry.
This year, the award was presented to the O’Shaughnessy Dam New Bulkhead System project. The team was recognized for addressing complex challenges at a century-old dam through creativity, rigor, and strong collaboration. Their work included developing a full-scale mock-up to refine leakage standards, creating a robotic cleaning tool to improve safety, and sharing their onsite bunkhouse to prevent diver decompression sickness. .
By going beyond contract requirements to conduct additional testing, the team generated valuable data to inform future projects and reduce costs—resulting in innovations that improved safety, performance, and long-term reliability.
Strategic Partnering Achievement Award
The Strategic Partnering Award recognizes teams whose success extends beyond a single project to shape programs, relationships, and long-term outcomes.
This year, the award was presented to the San Diego International Airport Terminal 1 Concessions Strategic Partnering program. The team brought together groups that had traditionally operated separately and aligned them into a single, high-performing team. With support from AECOM and OrgMetrics, they established shared goals, accountability, and open communication supported by tools such as RACI charts, issue-resolution ladders, and integrated team structures. The results were significant: 16 concession spaces delivered safely, 15 opened on day one of the new terminal, and a 42.6% increase in revenue generating more than $9 million in additional income within five months.
John L. Martin Partnered Project Awards
The John L. Martin Partnered Project of the Year Awards recognize teams that exemplify strong alignment, purposeful collaboration, and outstanding outcomes.
(Project team photos provided by Jeff Rumans)
Diamond Award Winner – Best in Class
The Diamond Best-in-Class Award was presented to the $171 million DGS Gregory Bateson Building Renovation—an outstanding example of what true collaboration can achieve (Category 2 – Buildings and Infrastructure between $25M and $250M)
Owner: State of California Department of General Services
Prime: McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Designer: CannonDesign
CM: AECOM
Facilitator: Cinda Bond
Located in downtown Sacramento, this 308,000-square-foot historic landmark was transformed into a modern, all-electric workplace. Delivered through progressive design-build, the team advanced the design and established the GMP in just five months (even after a significant project reset) by aligning early, addressing key risks, and identifying opportunities to reinvest in added value.
Working side-by-side in a “Big Room” environment, the team fostered a strong “Project First” culture, using tools like laser scanning and BIM to improve coordination, minimize rework, and maintain construction momentum. From seismic upgrades to restoring the iconic atrium and façade, the project successfully balanced innovation with preservation.
Gold Level Award Winning Teams
SFO Courtyard 3 Connector
(Category 3 – Buildings and Infrastructure over $250M)
Owner: San Francisco International Airport
Prime: Hensel Phelps
Designer: HOK
CM: PGH Wong Engineering, Inc.
Facilitator: Rob Reaugh
The SFO C3C project team delivered the new Executive Offices for SFO and developed the Airport Integrated Operations Center (AIOC), which centralizes the airport operations including security, airfield operations, tenant coordination and for passengers and guests from the roadways to the airfield. Despite COVID-19 disruptions, a multi-year suspension, and major reprogramming, the team stayed aligned through 40+ partnering sessions, maintaining momentum and trust. Innovative solutions, including robotic drywall finishing, digital walk-throughs, and highly coordinated ITT Software sprints and innovations, improved quality while ensuring uninterrupted airport operations.
SFO Taxiway Z Rehabilitation Project
(Category 2 – Civil Construction between $25M and $250M)
Owner: San Francisco International Airport
Prime: Granite Construction Company
Designer: Lean Technology Corp.
CM: AtkinsRealis Group Inc.
Facilitator: Rob Reaugh
This project focused on renewing critical airfield corridors while maintaining continuous airline operations in an active airport environment. Working within tight closure windows, the team adapted to shifting weather and field conditions by adding shifts, working Sundays, and adjusting plans in real time. The project was delivered in just 200 days, used Superpave asphalt, and implemented rapid return-to-service strategies to keep operations running smoothly.
OG&E Coliseum
(Category 2 – Buildings and Public Infrastructure between $25M and $250M)
Owner: City of Oklahoma City MAPS
Prime: Flintco, LLC
Designer: Populous
CM: ADG Blatt
Facilitator: Cinda Bond
This project team delivered a world-class arena alongside an active venue hosting more than 350 events over three years. They carefully coordinated construction around ongoing operations—including managing noise and vibration during equestrian events to ensure safety and comfort. The team also demonstrated resilience by recovering from a lightning-related transformer failure that occurred two weeks ahead of opening and by safely imploding the old facility just 17 feet from the new structure.
UCSF Parnassus Heights (PH) Health Sciences Instruction & Research (HSIR) Improvements Program
(Category 2 – Buildings and Public Infrastructure between $25M and $250M)
Owner: University of California, San Francisco
Prime: Webcor
Designer: Perkins&Will
CM: Jacobs Project Management Co.
Facilitator: Rob Reaugh
The project team upgraded two fully occupied 16-story research towers while maintaining uninterrupted operations in an active scientific environment. They balanced seismic, life safety, and exterior improvements with the ongoing needs of researchers by implementing strong occupant outreach and coordination protocols. They developed a contractor-controlled allowance within the GMP to enable schedule flexibility, while a custom project dashboard supported transparency and decision-making throughout the program.
Wharf J9 Replacement Project – Float and Gangway
(Category 1 – Civil Construction under $25M)
Owner: Port of San Francisco
Prime: Yerba Buena Engineering & Construction, Inc.
Designer: Moffatt & Nichol
CM: San Francisco Public Works
Facilitator: Cinda Bond
This project enhanced waterfront access with a new 240-foot floating dock, 80-foot gangway, and upgraded facilities that support local fishers and improve public access. Working in a high-traffic, active environment, the team coordinated early morning construction and resequenced work to minimize impacts to nearby businesses and events. Innovative materials and on-time in-water work ensured the project was ready for the 2025 crab season—delivering a more resilient and accessible wharf.
Chipps Island Tidal Habitat Restoration Project – Phase 2C
(Category 1- Civil Construction under $25M)
Owner: California Department of Water Resources (DWR)
Prime: Dixon Marine Services, Inc.
Designer: California Department of Water Resources
CM: California Department of Water Resources
Facilitator: Cinda Bond
The project team restored critical tidal habitat in a remote Delta location with no road or bridge access requiring creative logistics and careful coordination. As DWR’s first CMGC project, the team navigated unknown site conditions and strict environmental windows, sequencing work around migratory bird nesting and in-water restrictions. The result included restored tidal flow, removal of legacy infrastructure, and creation of more than 8,000 feet of new channels, meeting all requirements for environmental habitat restoration credits. This builds on prior success, with Phase 2B of the project earning a Silver Award in 2025.
822 Geary and 629 Hyde Crisis Stabilization Unit
(Category 1- Buildings and Public Infrastructure under $25M)
Owner: San Francisco Department of Public Health
Prime: W.E. Lyons Construction Co.
Designer: San Francisco Public Works
CM: San Francisco Public Works – Bureau of Architecture
Facilitator: Cinda Bond
This project transformed a former Goodwill site into a 24/7 Crisis Stabilization Unit and support services hub serving the Tenderloin community. The team adapted to evolving program needs during construction while maintaining strong coordination and alignment. Through proactive community engagement and seamless teamwork, they delivered safe, welcoming spaces and met an accelerated opening timeline announced by the mayor.
Next are OrgMetrics Silver Level Award Winning projects:
O’Shaughnessy Dam New Bulkhead System
(Category 1- Civil Construction under $25M)
Owner: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Prime: Alltech Engineering Corp.
Designer: Barr Engineering Co.
CM: SFPUC
Facilitator: Cinda Bond
This project delivered critical upgrades to a century-old dam, improving safety, performance, and long-term reliability.
Also recipient of the Sue Dyer Innovation Mindset Award.
SFO BA/TRTS 12kV Power Distribution Replacement Project – Phase 1
(Category 1 – Buildings and Infrastructure under $25M)
Owner: San Francisco International Airport
Prime: Schembri Construction
Designer: SFO Electrical Engineering
CM: SFO Planning, Design, & Construction Division
Facilitator: Rob Reaugh
This project strengthened critical airport infrastructure by replacing aging 12kV power cables serving major terminals, improving reliability and safety for ongoing operations. The team executed complex work in confined spaces, active airfields, and terminal environments, overcoming access constraints and challenging field conditions through careful coordination and planning. Enhanced testing, investigation, and problem-solving ensured high-quality delivery and uninterrupted service for millions of travelers.
We’re proud to see these projects recognized and grateful for the teams and partners who make them possible. They reflect what’s possible when collaboration is done well, and we look forward to continuing this work together.
– Rob
Rob Reaugh is President of OrgMetrics LLC. He facilitates the City and County of San Francisco Collaborative Partnering Steering Committee and currently works with San Francisco International Airport, San Jose International Airport, BART, Caltrans, and others. He holds a Masters’ Degree in Alternative Dispute Resolution.
For more information please contact Rob Reaugh, RobReaugh@Orgmet.com / (925) 487-2404 (cell), or OrgMetrics, (925) 449-8300.