tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079489537362129861.post9116920306043469232..comments2024-03-19T07:54:49.735-05:00Comments on Specific thoughts...: Key clauses of the general conditions; more means and methodsSheldonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13799057838622646083noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079489537362129861.post-40799219659318870982016-03-16T22:00:57.608-05:002016-03-16T22:00:57.608-05:00Thanks, Tom; I agree there is a common lack of und...Thanks, Tom; I agree there is a common lack of understanding of what's in the general conditions. <br /><br />My experience, most of which has been in midsize to large firms, is that few architects have even looked at the general conditions, and fewer still have any idea what's in them. I assume that architects in small firms have of necessity learned more about them. I believe it's also true that many contract administrators handle most field problems to keep the project going. Gotta have good field guys!Sheldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13799057838622646083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079489537362129861.post-66616500610369644482016-03-16T18:31:43.321-05:002016-03-16T18:31:43.321-05:00I question, “when was the last time the architect...I question, “when was the last time the architect actually read A-201” as it relates to his “Administration of the Contract” to understand his responsibility during the construction process. How many of them know, per A-201, the contractor’s responsibility as well. I submit very few. Does the architect have an idea of what the CCA’s tasks are and what his background should be? Who should be the CCA; certainly not the designer, the architect’s project manager and certainly not the drafter. While this group can “blue sky”, schedule and produce the CDs, most have no idea of the construction process or any of the multitude of tasks the CCA performs during the construction phase of a project. In virtually every instance, when a RFI is issued regarding a detail or the design intent or a lack of information, the responsibility for the response falls to the CCA. The CD production team’s response typically, in many cases is, “that’s a field problem” and “just don’t time to get into that” because they’ve moved to another project. The CCA ends up interpreting the intent of the documents and communicates with the contractor to solve the construction issue in an effort to get the Work executed, keep the construction progress moving to alleviate delay and negotiating with the contractor so as not to require a change order as a result of the response WITHOUT getting into means and methods. I could go on but that’s enough for now. Tom Montero, FCSI, CDT, AIAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079489537362129861.post-10037803694329465902016-03-16T00:00:28.028-05:002016-03-16T00:00:28.028-05:00I've argued for a long time that Part 3 could ...I've argued for a long time that Part 3 could be eliminated, except when used to state exceptions to manufacturers' instructions. <br /><br />I don't think the architect should specify how to fasten basic drywall, except by use of reference standards. GA-216 - Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panels addresses the subject quite well. At twenty-five pages and nearly 14,000 words, it seems there isn't much more to say. (There can be more to say, but not for basic drywall work.) <br /><br />Meetings do serve a purpose, but because the contractor is responsible for coordination, it's the contractor who should decide what meetings are required and when to have them. Including a meeting schedule as a submittal is a good idea, though! <br /><br />Even though the contractor is responsible for construction, the architect should specify submittals needed to help monitor the project, which may require specifying additional requirements for meetings and other contractor activities. As noted, the architect must decide what is in the construction documents. The warning is to think about each item, avoid mindless repetition of unneeded requirements, and delve into contractor responsibilities with eyes wide open!<br /><br />Thanks for the comments, Joel!Sheldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13799057838622646083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079489537362129861.post-763761112653535342016-03-15T14:20:01.873-05:002016-03-15T14:20:01.873-05:00Provocative to say the least. Can we just dispense...Provocative to say the least. Can we just dispense with Part-3 Execution? <br /><br />I think that it's a stretch to say Architect has no business specifying how to fasten drywall, and since many contractors are better at hiring subcontractors than doing the work themselves, some detail seems to be warranted.<br /><br />Meetings do serve a purpose in focusing all present on the project"s needs and occasionally help things get done sooner and better. Having a schedule (updated) helps Owner & design team with planning. They're good to have, ahead of time, when reviewing delay claims.<br /><br />I do agree that the administration "burdens" placed on the contractor only add value if the owner or design team need certain information, need to plan their time basedo on fixed meeting times etc.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00561237529461778296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5079489537362129861.post-64052641743342180552016-03-15T14:19:34.564-05:002016-03-15T14:19:34.564-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00561237529461778296noreply@blogger.com