AIA Contract Terminology

Question 1

What are the Contract Documents?

Answer 1

• Agreement
• Conditions (A201, etc)
• Drawings
• Specifications
• Addenda issued prior to execution of the Contract
• Modifications issued after execution of the Contract

Question 2

What does the Contract Documents NOT include?

Answer 2

• advertisement or invitation to bid
• Instruction to Bidders
• Shop Drawings
• Product Data
• Samples

Question 3

What are kinds of Modifications?

Answer 3

• any written amendment to Contract signed by both parties
• Change Order
• Construction Change Directive (CCD)
• written order for a minor change in the Work issued by the Architect (aka ASI)

Question 4

Work

Answer 4

construction services required by the Contract Documents

Question 5

Project

Answer 5

total construction for which the Work performed under the Contract Documents

Question 6

Instrument of Service

Answer 6

representations, in any medium of expression, of tangible and intangible creative work performed by the Architect and their consultants under their representative professional agreements. It can include studies, surveys, models, sketches, drawings, specifications, etc.

Question 7

Initial Decision Maker

Answer 7

person identified in the Agreement to render initial decisions on Claims. This person will not show partiality to the Owner or Contractor and is not liable for results of interpretations or decisions rendered in good faith.

Question 8

According to A201, who owns the Instruments of service?

Answer 8

Architect and Architect’s Consultants are the authors AND owners of their respective Instruments of Service. This means they own the copyright for their own material.

Question 9

Who is authorized to use and reproduce the Instruments of Service, solely and exclusively for the execution of the Work?

Answer 9

Contractor & subcontractors.
NOTE: all copies under this authorization shall have a copyright notice on the Instruments of Service. Contractor and subcontractors CANNOT use these drawings/specs on other projects or outside the scope of the Work without the written consetn of the Architect and/or A’s consultants.

Question 10

What AIA form is used to determine the protocol of sending and transmitting Instruments of Service via digital platforms?

Answer 10

E203-2013 (Building Information Modeling and Digital Data Exhibit)

Question 11

“Architect” as defined by A201

Answer 11

“an architect lawfully licensed to practice architecture, or an entity lawfully practicing architecture, in the jurisdiction where the Project is located” (2.3.2)

Question 12

Substantial Completion

Answer 12

When the Work or designated portion thereof is sufficiently complete in accordance with the Contract Documents so that the Owner can occupy or utilize the Work for its intended use. (9.8.1)

Question 13

Applications for Payment

Answer 13

Contractor submits to Architect this itemized form for the amount of Work the Contractor completed, to be paid for their work by the Owner. Architect reviews and approves before sending to Owner.

Question 14

Certificates for Payment

Answer 14

Once Architect approves a Contractor’s Application for payment, they will send to the Owner and enter an amount on this form that the Architect deems is appropriate to pay Contractor for completed Work. Architect can also withold part or entire portions of the Application for Payment if Architect finds reason (ie Work is not complete).

Question 15

Change Order

Answer 15

change that effects either cost or time of the Work. it is signed by the owner and contractor.

Question 16

Construction Change Directive

Answer 16

Change Order that contractor and/or owner cannot agree upon but Work must be done to maintain construction schedule of the project.