Construction & Evaluation

Exam Contents

SECTION 1: Preconstruction Activities

• Design-Bid-Build (DBB)

  • • Owner signs a separate contract with Architect and Contractor

    • Often required for public project, it is likely to get the lowest price due to its competitive nature

• Design-Build (DB)

  • • Own signs a single contract with one design builder for both design and construction services

    • Reduce risk of schedule and cost overruns

• Construction Manager as Advisor (CMa)

  • • A separate party hired by owner

    • CMa controls cost and advise on constructability and construction schedule, reviews RFI + submittal and handles communications first

• Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc)

  • • CMc will advise architect constructability, schedule, complexed project, etc.

    • Usually during end of DD, will provide a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) and construction schedule to be approved by Owner

• Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)

  • • Owner, Architect, Contractor, Advisor acts as a single entity

• Bidding Procedure

  • • Prequalification of bidders based on: financial report, personnel, experience, reference, size, bonding capability, quality of work.

    • Architect's role during bidding include publish bid document, answer bidder questions, assist owner to evaluate bids, etc.

    • Contractor requests substitution to be considered (10) days before due date, clarification (7) days before due date. Architect provides response or addenda (4) days before due date.

• Bidding Documents

  • Invitation to bid, instruction to bidders (A701), supplementary instruction, bid forms, bid security, bonds.

• Base Bid: contract amount of the base scope

• Alternates: addition or deletion of elements

• Unit Price: cost for portions of work based on individual quantity

• Allowances: estimated cost to cover a equipment or element which the price has not yet been determined

SECTION 2: Construction Observation

• • • Purpose of Observation

      • • 1. Become generally familiar with progress and quality of work

        • 2. Guard owner against defects and deficiency

        • 3. Determine whether work is progress with construction documents

    • Number and Time of Visit: determined by the architect or specified in the Owner-Architect agreement

    • Field Report: include name/project number, field report number, date/time/weather, current work, number of workers in the field, observation notes/photos, assessment of conformance, estimated completion

    • Uncovering and Correction of Work

      • • Nonconformance - Contractor pays, but Owner can choose to accept nonconforming works

        • Requested by Architect, and conforms to CD - Owner pays

        • Requested by Architect, and NOT conforms to CD - Contractor pays

SECTION 3: Administrative Procedures & Protocols

• Minor Changes in the Work

  • • Minor change does not change contract sum and time

• Change Order

  • • Involves a change in contract sum and/or time. Need to be signed by Owner, Architect, Contractor

• Construction Change Direction

  • • Signed by Owner and Architect to direct Contractor to procced with changes, when Contractor is not in agreement with the contract sum and/or time.

• Construction Submittals

  • Not part of the contract documents, turnaround time determined by submittal schedule

  • Shop Drawing/Sample/Product Data/Cut Sheet

• Application for Payment

  • • Architect approve or reject the requested amount based on Schedule of Values

    • Reason to withhold money: defective work, 3rd party claim, contractor's failure to pay subs, damages, work cannot be completed on time

    • Retainage is withheld until final completion to protect the owner, usually 10% of the contract sum

• Dispute and Claims

  • • Architect should try to clarify the contract scope and requirement impartially first when there is a conflict between Owner and Contractor

    • Architect is often the Initial Decision Maker (IDM)

    • Claim → IDM Resolution → Mediation → Arbitration/Litigation

SECTION 4: Project Closeout & Evaluation

• Substantial Completion

  • • Contractor prepares a Punchlist for the Architect to review during inspection

    • If all the essential elements are complete, Architect issues a Certificate of Substantial Completion

    • Owner can occupy the building for its intended use and warranties start

• Post Occupancy Evaluation

  • • Conducted 3-6 month after occupation, as an additional service

    • Data might be gathered from owner, user, visitor, occupants, etc.

• Follow Up Visit

  • • 6-12 month after occupation, included in the basic service

    • A walk-through with Owner, provide evaluation and hear feedback