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The following information is meant to provide a brief
description of the services offered by Bernier Enterprise, a
Contract Purchasing Firm of Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment
(FF&E).
Scope of Services
Our role as the FF&E consultant is to ensure that the detailed
specifications issued by the design consultant are evaluated,
purchased, and installed at the project on behalf of the client.
Although each project is unique and must be treated as such, the
following are customary procedures followed by Bernier
Enterprise.
Review of Project
We begin by doing a complete review of existing documents and
drawings. Meetings between the consultants and client are held
to initiate dialogue and questions. A clear understanding of the
design direction, size and components of the project, specific
concerns relating to the locale of the project, and the accuracy
of the client's initial budget must be shared with all parties.
From this information, Bernier Enterprise will prepare a
preliminary budget and schedule for the FF&E.
Bidding and Initial Selection
Bid packages using the designer’s specifications and drawings
are issued for most items in the project. Sources from the
vendor/installer bid lists, which are approved by the
client/operator and designer, are gathered from the domestic and
international markets based upon the needs of the project.
Upon receipt of returned bids, Bernier Enterprise negotiates
with likely candidates on both specified and possible alternate
items to ensure that budget requirements and design intent are
maintained. Recommendations with back-up are submitted to the
client and/or operator, and the designer for approval.
Model Room
The model room is an important test situation for all
consultants of the project, as it evaluates the design concept
and its practicality. It also evaluates the various skills of
the vendors utilized to put the room together.
Upon approval, Bernier Enterprise issues purchase orders,
handles the expediting, manages the shipping, installation, and
final arrangement of the model room.
Final Selection and Purchase
The final selection of vendors and installer is made upon
approval of the model room, and their respective purchase orders
and/or contracts are prepared. All Local, State, and
Federal/National codes and regulations are taken into account
and noted. Any other specific requirements pertaining to the
project are also noted.
A final budget is issued to the client for review. A cash flow
projection is also prepared to allow the client to plan the
release of funds for the project on a monthly and long-term
basis.
Bernier Enterprise then submits all purchase orders and
contracts to the client for review and signature. It may also be
advantageous to have the operator and/or interior designer
review and sign-off on orders as well.
Accounting
The following reports are issued to the client on a monthly
basis to monitor the project:
All invoices and freight bills are received and verified by
Bernier Enterprise. Payment requests are submitted to the
client, along with the original invoice and/or freight bill. All
checks are returned to Bernier Enterprise for distribution to
the vendors.
All sales tax, import tariffs (if applicable), and freight costs
are accounted for and monitored on the invoice report, along
with any discounts that would be returned directly to the
project.
Installation
The final phase of the project is ensuring that the merchandise
is installed properly at the project site. This is accomplished
and monitored with expediting & installation reports.
In conjunction with the client, operator, and general
contractor, Bernier Enterprise coordinates a final schedule for
FF&E installation with the selected installer. From this
schedule a full breakdown of the project is developed to allow
shipments by area of readiness. The goal is to minimize the use
of warehousing, rather than rely solely on it. All expediting
and coordination with the installer works toward that objective.
Providing the client with the most reliable freight service at
the best industry rates is another goal. Bernier Enterprise
bids out to various domestic and international carriers to
determine which company fills those requirements for the
project.
We provide the necessary site supervision of the installation to
ensure that all of the client’s needs are met. We work closely
with the other consultants, as well as the selected installer,
to make the procedure as smooth and professional as possible.
Close-out
At the close of the project, Bernier
Enterprise will provide a
complete review of all payables to vendors, and if requested a
full set of purchase orders.
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