CSI MasterFormat 1995 Support Ended in 2009

To those who wish to continue using MF95 (16-Division, 5-digit spec format), be aware, CSI ended support of MasterFormat 1995 on 12/31/2009. Specs have been 6-digit for FIFTEEN YEARS now.

Why does it matter?

Well, if you use the old format, your specs will be immediately suspected of being out of date (just suspected, but of course you might be diligently keeping the old manufacturers and other info in the specs up to date, right??) and bidders might catch the scent of blood on your documents and look hard (or not very hard) for errors leading to future change orders. The most well-meaning contractor will have difficulty following out-of-date documents.

Also, your documents will be less than compatible or not compatible with modern information management systems for construction information. You might not use them, but estimators do, contractors do, sophisticated building owners and facility managers do, making you the obstacle to getting things done efficiently.

If you need help converting your specs, talk with an independent spec writer at www.scip.com > Find a Specifier. We are more than willing and able to help you.

Click here for CSI's announcement from 6/29/2009: CSIEndingSupportOfMF95.pdf

Architectural Woodwork Quality Certification Program from AWI

When specifying architectural woodwork, you may want to consider requiring the AWI Quality Certification Program.

 Why?

 "A great designer strives to put a unique stamp on a project while balancing budgets and keeping schedules on track. A building owner deserves to receive what is expected.

Sharing Architect's Digital Data Files

Many architects offer electronic data files such as model-sharing though BIM, or CAD drawings, and others, for contractors' use in preparing submittals.

 WHY

   Why would the Architect offer their electronic files to the Contractor?

First, it may reduce overall project cost if the bidding, if subcontractors and suppliers do not have to start their submittals such as shop drawings from scratch.

007300 - SUPPLEMENTARY CONDITIONS

 WHY?

Why would you need a Supplementary Conditions document? There are many topics in the standard General Conditions that design firms, Owners, or negotiated Contractors may want to modify or add for a project or as their standard practice. These can be done in a concise manner that is called the Supplementary Conditions. In this way, all the benefits of a standard set of documents may still be retained:

• Cost savings for bidding and administering the Contract because of familiarity.
• The individual Specification Sections and Drawings hinge upon provisions

006000 - PROJECT FORMS

AIA contracting forms and conditions of the contract are often standardized documents incorporated by reference into the Specifications.

 WHY?

• The standard AIA documents are proven and comprehensive. Everyone's risks are better known through familiarity, reducing many types of costs.
• Incorporating standard documents by reference is very abbreviated and yet can have the same legal effect as if they were printed in their entirety.

003000 - AVAILABLE INFORMATION

The "Available Information" section(s) are commonly used for geotechnical information if available, and reports/assessments of other existing condition findings including hazardous materials. The intent of locating these under 003000 and calling them "Available Information" is normally that:

• Soil borings and analysis do not provide certainty of all subsurface conditions.
• Geotechnical reports often contain recommendations that are design information, which may appear to conflict with the chosen final design solution if the report were to be made contractual.
• Existing hazardous material information may need to be disclosed, yet with its final assessment and remediation under a separate contract due to limits on the Architect's professional licensing and

006100 - BOND FORMS

What are construction bonds? No, we're not talking about Agent 007, but rather another type of bond that can rescue your project nonetheless!

Performance Bond

What happens if the contractor you hired goes out of business? Or just decides to walk away from the project? If your project has a performance bond, you can be glad you required it, and you can hire another