Preconstruction

Question 1

Unit prices

Answer 1

Stated in the bids and provide a price per unit fo materials and/or services. They offer the Architect and Owner a comparable means of measurement to use in comparing bids.

Question 2

Spec Parts

Answer 2

1. General 2. Products 3. Execution

Question 3

Descriptive Specifications

Answer 3

Describes exact characteristics of product or material. Can be tedious and time consuming. Combine with Proprietary spec as basis of design.

Question 4

Performance Specifications

Answer 4

Describes performance qualities of a material or product. Combine with Reference spec. Use on government projects and Design-Build projects.

Question 5

Reference Specifications

Answer 5

Incorporates reference standards from industry associations and testing organizations (ANSI, ASTM, UL).

Question 6

Proprietary Specifications

Answer 6

Simple, brief. Used when specifier is familiar with products specified.

Question 7

Spec types used in each project phase

Answer 7

SD: Uniformat, DD: Outline Specs, CD: 3 Part Specs

Question 8

When to use Short Form Specs

Answer 8

Projects of limited or simple scope, DB projects where you want to give GC more freedom, Interior fit-outs, projects where high level of detail is not required (lengthy submittals on a small project).

Question 9

Responsible Bidder

Answer 9

A responsible bidder is one who can demonstrate financial capacity to perform the contracted work.

Question 10

Responsive bid

Answer 10

All bidding requirements, including all the elements of the bid form, have been satisfactorily completed.

Question 11

Qualifications-based bidder selection

Answer 11

The owner selects a contractor solely on the basis of the contractor’s qualifications

Question 12

Value-based bidder selection

Answer 12

The owner selects a contractor based on the weighted values of multiple criteria, including construction cost or fee and proposed schedule, as well as qualifications-based criteria such as past experience on similarprojects and proposed personnel.

Question 13

3 Reasons why an owner would use multiple prime contractors

Answer 13

1. Some states require publicly funded projects to have multiple prime contractors. 2. If schedule is an important factor for a publicly funded project that must be competitively bid, then MP may be the best option for an accelerated schedule. 3. Some owners have the capacity to manage the work of multiple contractors.

Question 14

2 Reasons why an owner would use Design Build

Answer 14

They have reduced risk of schedule and cost overruns, and they have only one design and construction contract to administer.

Question 15

Project Manual

Answer 15

Bidding documents, Contract, Gen and Sup Conditions, Specifications (Documents that can be bound in a book)

Question 16

Contract Documents

Answer 16

Everything except bidding requirements

Question 17

Bidding Documents

Answer 17

Everything except contract modifications

Question 18

3 Ways Process Methodology Translates to Architecture

Answer 18

1. Structure our work effort so projects flow better, by identifying processes and tasks that contribute valueand eliminating those that don’t.2. Reduce variation in the ways we work and in the deliverables we produce.3. Identify and eliminate (or mitigate) barriers andconstraints that hinder us from doing good work.

Question 19

Methodologies for better CD’s

Answer 19

Reduction of redundancy, Working in Context (combining related drawings on a page - 2D and 3D), Roadmap and Bubble Referencing, Instructional Systems, Default Scheduling,

Question 20

4 Options for owner if bids are all over budget

Answer 20

1. Rebid project. Architect should help at no additional cost. Not likely to change cost without changing scope. 2. Authorize increase in construction cost and proceed. 3. Work with Architect to revise scope. No additional compensation for Architect. 4. Abandon project.

Question 21

Post Bid Info GC provides to Architect upon award of project

Answer 21

1. AIA A305 Contractor’s Qualification Statement2. Summary of work to be self-performed3. Names of manufacturers, products and suppliers of principal items4. Names of subs5. Performance and payment bonds (if not required to be part of bid) to be provided no later than 3 days after execution of contract (on A312 form).If requested by bidder: Owner must provide reasonable evidence of financial capacity for project no later than 7 days prior to expiration of the time for withdrawal of bids.

Question 22

Bid security

Answer 22

Check or bid bond to ensure that successful bidder will enter into contract with owner if selected. Fixed price or % of construction cost (5%).

Question 23

With which project delivery method are the architect’s duties during preconstruction most limited?

Answer 23

IPD because bidding and negotiation has already been done at that point. Architect is probably just answering RFI’s.

Question 24

3 types of accelerated schedules

Answer 24

Directed: the owner instructs the GC to speed up and agrees to pay additional costs associated with change.Voluntary: the GC may decide to accelerate if project is behind schedule but not directed by owner to do so.Constructive: the GC speeds up schedule due to an exusable or unavoidable delay but is neither directed to or compensated by the owner. GC may file a claim for damages.

Question 25

days bidders have to submit RFI’s

Answer 25

Up until 7 days prior to bids being due

Question 26

days bidders have to submit request for substitutions

Answer 26

Up until 10 days prior to bids being due

Question 27

Last day for addenda to be issued prior to bids being due

Answer 27

4 days prior

Question 28

When bid sums are written out, do words or numbers take precedence in case of discrepancy?

Answer 28

Words

Question 29

Construction and services required by the CD’s, whether completed or partially completed refer to ________.

Answer 29

The Work

Question 30

If bidding has not started within 90 days of Architect issuing CD’s to owner, what happens?

Answer 30

Owner needs to update their budget for the Cost of Work to reflect changes in the bidding and market conditions.

Question 31

Architect’s preconstruction role with CM as Advisor

Answer 31

Work with CM during design phases as they develop the project cost estimate and schedule. Consider their suggestions for alternative materials or building systems. Review drawings with CM prior to milestones as they prepare cost estimates. Arch and CM must bring project within budget by end of DD.

Question 32

Architect’s CA role with CM as Advisor

Answer 32

A232: Arch and CM provide joint CA services re: contract administration, site visits, certifying pay apps, rejecting work, reviewing submittals, determining sub and final completion, RFI’s. CMa coordinates with GC, facilitates communication between GC and owner, prepares CO’s and CCD’s.

Question 33

Architect’s preconstruction role with CM as Constructor

Answer 33

Like CMa but only 2 ways to price project: cost of the work + fee with or without a GMP (no stipulated sum).

Question 34

Architect’s CA role with CM as Constructor

Answer 34

Use A201 for CA except architect’s CA sevices begin at owner’s acceptance of GMP, control estimate or notice to proceed (not award of construction contract).

Question 35

Architect’s preconstruction role with DB

Answer 35

Select Arch’s services from list as defined in exhibit to B143 agreement.

Question 36

Architect’s CA role with DB

Answer 36

Select Arch’s services from list as defined in exhibit to B143 agreement.

Question 37

Architect’s CA role with IPD

Answer 37

Minimal because coordination happens earlier. Focus on quality control and cost monitoring. Similar to A201.

Question 38

Architect’s preconstruction role with IPD

Answer 38

Limited - only includes Agency Review and Buyout phases.

Question 39

Who is the IDM in a project using a CM as Advisor

Answer 39

Architect is still the IDM

Question 40

Prior to commencement of the Work, what can GC do to request evidence of owner’s financial arrangements?

Answer 40

Make written request; No obligation to start work until owner provides this; Contract Time shall be adjusted if necessary.

Question 41

An Architect is hired to renovate an existing historic building on the National Register. Is the building required to have an elevator to comply with ADA regulations?

Answer 41

Yes. The ADA Guidelines (ADAAG) states that alterations to historic buildings shall comply with all the requirements, including elevators and accessible routes, unless compliance would threaten or destroy the historic significance of the building.

Question 42

What’s the difference between an RFP and an RFQ?

Answer 42

An RFP includes any fees and costs, along with experience. An RFQ asks for firms to submit the relevant experience.

Question 43

addenda

Answer 43

Statements or drawings that modify the basic contract documents after the latter have been issued to the bidders, but prior to taking of bids.

Question 44

advertisement for bids

Answer 44

Published public notice soliciting proposals for a construction project.

Question 45

alternate bid

Answer 45

Proposal by bidder for amount to be subtracted from, or added to, the base bid if the corresponding change in the work is accepted.

Question 46

base bid

Answer 46

The sum of money stated in the bid for which the bidder offers to do the work, not including any alternate bids.

Question 47

bid

Answer 47

A proposal by a contractor to do the work required by the contract documents for a stipulated sum of money

Question 48

bid bond

Answer 48

A surety bond guaranteeing that the bidder will sign a contract, if offered, in accordance with his or her proposal.

Question 49

bidding documents

Answer 49

The invitation to bid, instructions to bidders, bid form, and the contract documents.

Question 50

What is an allowance?

Answer 50

An allowance is the amount that an architect estimates an item will cost when the cost of the material cannot be precisely determined at the time of bidding. This estimated cost is stated in the specifications, and each contractor bidding on the project is required to include the same amount for this line item. The allowance allows some choices about specific elements of the project to be deferred until the construction phase. The allowance also provides a set amount of money that is included in the contract amount that is available to pay for that item.

Question 51

What is a unit price?

Answer 51

A unit price is a set cost per unit of work that is established in the bid. Unit prices are most often used when the exact quantity of work is undetermined, but the work itself can be clearly defined through drawings and specifications. For example, the bid form may request a price per linear foot for concrete piles. If the actual subsurface conditions vary form those anticipated and the piles have to be shorter or longer, then unit price amount can be used to adjust the contract sum appropriately. The anticipated quantity is included in the base bid; if the actual quantity is greater than or less than the anticipated amount, the contract price can be adjusted based on the unit cost proposed in the bid. This helps protect the owner from the contract has been awarded, and it protects the contractor from underbidding based on unanticipated increases in unit quantities.

Question 52

What is value engineering?

Answer 52

This is the process used to analyze the project’s goals, proposed solutions, and budget to determine whether changes to the design might result in more value - or return on investment - to the project while complying with the original budget. Value engineering may be undertaken at any stage of design or construction but the earlier in the project that value engineering analysis is conducted, the greater the potential savings.