Flash Cards - CDS - Glossary by Term
1
Q
Addenda
A
Statements or drawings that modify the basic contract documents after the latter have been issued to the bidders, but prior to taking of bids.
2
Q
Addition (to the contract sum)
A
An amount added to the contract sum either by an accepted additive alternate or by change order.
3
Q
Advertisement for Bids
A
Published public notice soliciting proposals for a construction project.
4
Q
Agent
A
One who acts on behalf of another.
5
Q
Alternate Bid
A
Proposal by bidder for amount to be subtracted from or added to the base bid if the corresponding change in the work is accepted.
6
Q
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
A
Federal civil rights legislation that establishes the right of persons with disabilities to equal access to sites and buildings and sets design guidelines for its implementation.
7
Q
Application for Payment
A
Contractor’s written request for payment of amount due on account of work completed and or materials suitably stored on the site. Also called Payment Request.
8
Q
Approved Equal
A
Material or method that is approved by the architect as being equivalent to what was originally specified.
9
Q
Arbitration
A
An alternative to litigating a dispute, in which one or more arbitrators hears the evidence and renders a decision.
10
Q
As Built Drawings
A
See Record Drawings. (Drawings revised to show changes made during construction. Sometimes erroneously called As Built Drawings.)
11
Q
Barrier free Provisions
A
Regulations that provide for accessibility to buildings and sites for persons with disabilities.
12
Q
Base Bid
A
The sum of money stated in the bid for which the bidder offers to do the work, not including any alternate bids.
13
Q
Basic Services
A
The architectural services normally required for a building project, usually consisting of schematic design, design development, construction documents, bidding or negotiation, and construction contract administration.
14
Q
Bid
A
A proposal by a contractor to do the work required by the contract documents for a stipulated sum of money.
15
Q
Bid Bond
A
A surety bond guaranteeing that the bidder will sign a contract, if offered, in accordance with his or her proposal.
16
Q
Bidding Documents
A
The invitation to bid, instructions to bidders, bid form, and the contract documents.
17
Q
Bond
A
See Surety Bond. (An agreement under which one party (the surety or bonding company) guarantees to make good to another party (the obligee or owner) the debt, default, or failure to perform of a third party (the principal or contractor). See Bid Bond, Labor and Material Payment Bond, and Performance Bond.)
18
Q
Bonus and Penalty Clause
A
A provision in the construction contract for payment of a bonus to the contractor for completing the project prior to a specific date, and for a charge (penalty) against the contractor for failing to complete the project by that date.
19
Q
Cash Allowance
A
An amount included in the contract sum to cover the cost of certain items not specified in detail. Hardware and other finish items are often handled in this manner.
20
Q
Certificate for Payment
A
A statement by the architect informing the owner of the amount due the contractor on account of work completed and or materials suitably stored.
21
Q
Certificate of Occupancy
A
A document issued by the governing authority stating that a building complies with applicable laws and permitting occupancy for its designated use.
22
Q
Certificate of Substantial Completion
A
A document prepared by the architect stating that the work is substantially complete, thereby establishing the date of substantial completion. It generally fixes the time within which the contractor must complete the unfinished work listed.
23
Q
Change in Services (of the architect)
A
Professional services rendered by the architect, upon the owner’s request, in addition to the basic services identified in the owner architect agreement. Also called Extra Services.
24
Q
Change Order
A
A written order to the contractor, prepared by the architect and signed by the owner, contractor, and architect, which authorizes a change in the work, the contract sum, or the contract time.
25
Clerk of the Works
The owner's job site representative.
26
Completion Bond
A bond obtained by the contractor or owner, which guarantees that the project will be completed free of liens.
27
Comprehensive Services
The architect's basic services expanded to include certain additional services, such as programming, land use studies, etc.
28
Construction Budget
The sum established by the owner as available for construction of the project. See Project Budget.
29
Construction Change Directive
A document, signed by the owner and the architect, which authorizes a change in the work, the contract sum, or the contract time. Used when there is not complete agreement on the terms of a change order. See Change Order.
30
Construction Documents
Working drawings and specifications.
31
Construction Management (CM)
Management services performed by the architect or others, over and above normal architectural services, that contribute to the control of time and cost in the construction of a project.
32
Consultant
An engineer or other specialist retained by the architect to provide specified professional services to the architect that the architect is required to provide to the owner under the owner architect agreement.
33
Contingency
An amount of money set aside in a budget to cover unanticipated expenses.
34
Contract Documents
Working drawings, specifications, addenda, general conditions of the contract, supplementary conditions, and the owner contractor agreement.
35
Contract Sum
The total amount payable by the owner to the contractor, as stated in the owner contractor agreement, for performing the work under the contract documents.
36
Contract Time
The period of time within which the work must be completed, as established in the contract documents.
37
Cost Plus Fee Contract
An agreement under which the contractor, or the architect, is reimbursed for his or her costs and, in addition, is paid a fee for his or her services.
38
Critical Path Method (CPM)
A project management procedure in which all events and operations are charted in a way that establishes the optimum sequence and duration of operations.
39
CSI MasterFormat
A systematic listing of construction trades, materials, systems, and administrative requirements published by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) for the purpose of organizing construction specifications.
40
Date of Substantial Completion
The date, certified by the architect, when the construction is sufficiently completed, in accordance with the contract documents, so that the owner can occupy the project or specified area of the project for the intended use.
41
Davis Bacon Act
A federal law that requires the Department of Labor to set prevailing wages for government financed construction projects.
42
Deposit for Bidding Documents
A deposit of money required of each bidder as security for the bidding documents, to ensure the return of the documents by unsuccessful bidders.
43
Direct Expense
Expense items directly incurred by or attributable to a specific project.
44
Direct Personnel Expense (DPE)
Salaries and wages attributable to a specific project, plus benefits such as employment taxes, insurance, sick leave, holidays, vacations, pensions, and similar contributions and benefits.
45
Division One
The General Requirements Division of the specifications that establishes the administrative and procedural duties of the contractor, architect, and owner during construction.
46
Due Care
The requirement that a professional exercise reasonable ability and judgment in a specific circumstance, the absence of which constitutes negligence. Also called Standard of Care.
47
Errors and Omissions Insurance
See Professional Liability Insurance. (Insurance that financially protects an architect against claims for damages resulting from professional negligence. Also called Errors and Omissions Insurance.)
48
Estimate
A forecast of probable costs, as opposed to a firm bid.
49
Express Warranty
A legally enforceable promise made by the warrantor.
50
Extra
An item of work involving additional cost. See Addition (to the contract sum).
51
Extra Services
See Change in Services (of the architect). (Professional services rendered by the architect, upon the owner's request, in addition to the basic services identified in the owner architect agreement. Also called Extra Services.)
52
Fast Track Construction
A construction technique by which construction on each element of a project is begun as soon as the design for that element is completed, without waiting for completion of the design for the entire project. Its principal objective is to shorten the overall construction time.
53
Final Completion
The completion of all work in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract documents.
54
Float
The extra time available for a construction activity above its estimated time duration, without causing any delay of project completion.
55
General Conditions
The part of the contract documents that states the rights, responsibilities, and relationships of the parties involved, usually by means of a standard document published by the American Institute of Architects.
56
General Contract
The agreement between the owner and the contractor for the construction of a project.
57
Guarantee
A legally enforceable assurance of the quality of materials and labor furnished for a project, or of the length of time that a project or a part thereof will perform satisfactorily. Also called Warranty.
58
Guaranteed Maximum Cost
The amount established by agreement between owner and contractor as the maximum cost of performing specified work. Also called Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). See Upset Price.
59
Hold Harmless Clause
See Indemnification. (A contractual obligation whereby one party agrees to guarantee another party against loss or damage from specified liabilities. Also called Hold Harmless Clause.)
60
Incentive Clause
Clause in a cost plus fee contract between the owner and contractor in which the savings between the guaranteed maximum cost and the actual project cost are proportionally shared.
61
Indemnification
A contractual obligation whereby one party agrees to guarantee another party against loss or damage from specified liabilities. Also called Hold Harmless Clause.
62
Indirect Expense
Overhead expense, that is, expenses indirectly incurred and not chargeable to a specific project.
63
Instructions to Bidders
Instructions in the bidding documents for preparing and submitting bids for a project. Also called Notice to Bidders.
64
Insurance
Coverage by contract (insurance policy), whereby one party (the insurance company) agrees to indemnify or reimburse another (the insured) against loss from a specified hazard. See Liability Insurance and Professional Liability Insurance.
65
Invitation to Bid
An invitation to a selected list of contractors soliciting bids for a project.
66
Labor and Material Payment Bond
A bond guaranteeing to the owner that the contractor will pay for all labor and materials used for the project.
67
Letter of Intent
A letter signifying intention to enter into a formal agreement and setting forth the general terms thereof.
68
Liability Insurance
Insurance that financially protects the insured against liability on account of bodily injury or property damage sustained by another.
69
Liquidated Damages
A sum chargeable against the contractor as reimbursement for damages suffered by the owner because of the contractor's failure to complete the work within a specified time.
70
Lowest Acceptable Bona Fide Bid
The lowest bid that complies with all the stipulated requirements.
71
Lump Sum Contract
See Stipulated Sum Contract.
72
Means of Egress
The elements that comprise an exit to the outside, including aisles, corridors, doors, and stairways.
73
Mechanic's Lien
A claim on property by those who furnish material or labor for the construction of a building. Clear title to the property cannot be obtained until the claim is settled.
74
Multiple of Direct Personnel Expense Agreement
An agreement providing for payment for professional services based upon the direct personnel expense multiplied by an agreed factor.
75
Notice to Bidders
See Instructions to Bidders. (Instructions in the bidding documents for preparing and submitting bids for a project. Also called Notice to Bidders.)
76
Observation
A term sometimes used for on site examination of the contractor's work by the architect to determine in general if it is proceeding in accordance with the contract documents.
77
Option
A choice given to the contractor to provide specified alternates without prior approval of the architect.
78
Overhead Expense
See Indirect Expense. (Overhead expense, that is, expenses indirectly incurred and not chargeable to a specific project.)
79
Payment Request
See Application for Payment. (Contractor's written request for payment of amount due on account of work completed and or materials suitably stored on the site. Also called Payment Request.)
80
Penalty
See Bonus and Penalty Clause. (A provision in the construction contract for payment of a bonus to the contractor for completing the project prior to a specific date, and for a charge (penalty) against the contractor for failing to complete the project by that date.)
81
Percentage Agreement
An owner architect agreement under which the professional fee is based upon a percentage of the construction cost of the project.
82
Performance Bond
A bond that guarantees to the owner that the contractor will perform the work in accordance with the contract documents.
83
Post Completion Services
Additional services rendered to the owner by the architect following actual completion of the project.
84
Prime Contractor
Any contractor on a project who has a contract directly with the owner.
85
Professional Liability Insurance
Insurance that financially protects an architect against claims for damages resulting from professional negligence. Also called Errors and Omissions Insurance.
86
Program
A written statement of the owner's conditions and requirements for the project.
87
Progress Payments
Payments made to the contractor during progress of the work on account of work completed and or materials suitably stored.
88
Project Budget
The sum established by the owner as available for the entire project, including the construction budget, land cost, equipment cost, financing cost, cost of professional services, and contingency allowances. See Construction Budget.
89
Project Manual
The manual prepared by the architect for a project, including the technical specifications, bidding instructions and forms, general conditions, supplementary conditions, special conditions, and other legal and administrative documents.
90
Project Representative
The architect's representative at the site, who assists in the general administration of the construction contract for a project.
91
Punch List
A list of items to be corrected or completed, which is provided by the contractor and usually expanded by the architect based on a detailed inspection of the work prior to substantial completion.
92
Record Drawings
Drawings revised to show changes made during construction. Sometimes erroneously called As Built Drawings.
93
Release of Lien
A legal document signed by a supplier of material or labor for a project, which releases his or her mechanic's lien against the property. See Mechanic's Lien.
94
Retainage
An amount withheld from each payment to the contractor in accordance with the terms of the owner contractor agreement.
95
Sample
Material or assembly submitted for the architect's approval prior to manufacture or delivery to the project.
96
Schedule of Values
A statement furnished to the architect by the contractor reflecting the amounts to be allotted for the principal divisions of the work. It serves as a guide for reviewing the contractor's periodic applications for payment.
97
Separate Prime Contract
One of several owner contractor agreements for a project, each of which provides for constructing a major portion of the work (general construction, electrical, mechanical, etc.) by a different contractor.
98
Shop Drawings
Drawings prepared by contractor, subcontractor, manufacturer, or supplier, showing how specific portions of the work shall be fabricated and or installed.
99
Sick Building Syndrome
A term used to describe poor indoor air quality, which can lead to discomfort and possibly disease.
100
Single Prime Contract
A contract for building construction under which one prime contractor is responsible for the entire project, in contrast to having separate contracts. See Separate Prime Contract.
101
Special Conditions
Part of the contract documents, other than general and supplementary conditions, describing unique conditions of a project.
102
Specifications
Part of the contract documents, comprising written descriptions of materials, construction systems, and workmanship.
103
Standard of Care
See Due Care. (The requirement that a professional exercise reasonable ability and judgment in a specific circumstance, the absence of which constitutes negligence. Also called Standard of Care.)
104
Statute of Limitations
An ordinance that specifies the period of time within which legal action must be brought in order to obtain legal relief for damage or injury.
105
Stipulated Sum Contract
An agreement under which the architect or contractor is paid a specific amount as the total fee for services performed. Also known as Lump Sum Contract.
106
Subcontractor
One who has a contract with a prime contractor to perform a portion of the work.
107
Submittal
A shop drawing, project data, or sample submitted by the contractor to the architect for review prior to incorporation in the work.
108
Subrogation
The substitution of one entity for another with regard to legal rights.
109
Substantial Completion
As defined in the AIA General Conditions, completion of a project to the point where the owner can occupy all or designated portions of the work for the purpose for which it is intended.
110
Superintendent
The contractor's representative at the site.
111
Supervision
Direction of the work by the contractor's personnel. Supervision is not the responsibility of the architect.
112
Supplementary Conditions
Part of the contract documents, prepared by the architect, which may modify provisions of the general conditions of the contract.
113
Surety
An individual or company that guarantees to make good to another party the debt, default, or failure to perform of a third party.
114
Surety Bond
An agreement under which one party (the surety or bonding company) guarantees to make good to another party (the obligee or owner) the debt, default, or failure to perform of a third party (the principal or contractor). See Bid Bond, Labor and Material Payment Bond, and Performance Bond.
115
Total Quality Management (TQM)
An approach to the delivery of goods or services in which quality is determined by customer satisfaction and conformance to requirements.
116
Trade Discount
The difference between the list price and the actual price paid.
117
Unit Price
An amount, stated in dollars per unit, provided by the contractor with his or her bid for adding or deleting specific portions of the work.
118
Upset Price
Same as Guaranteed Maximum Cost. (The amount established by agreement between owner and contractor as the maximum cost of performing specified work. Also called Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). See Upset Price.)
119
Vapor Barrier
A membrane that prevents the passage of water vapor through a wall or roof.
120
Waiver of Lien
A document by which one relinquishes the right of mechanic's lien against the property of another. See Mechanic's Lien and Release of Lien.
121
Warranty
See Guarantee. (A legally enforceable assurance of the quality of materials and labor furnished for a project, or of the length of time that a project or a part thereof will perform satisfactorily. Also called Warranty.)
122
Work All
Materials and or labor required for a project.
123
Working Drawings
The part of the contract documents, prepared by the architect, that graphically illustrates the construction required for the project.
124
XCU
The exclusion from insurance coverage for liability arising out of (X) explosion or blasting, (C) collapse of or structural damage to a building, and (U) underground damage caused by mechanical equipment.
