New Commentary on AIA A295 for Structural Engineers

Mark Menghini (Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale in St. Louis) has alerted us to a new commentary on the use of AIA Document A295 for structural engineers of record (SER).  The commentary is available at the ACEC* bookstore.  It's pricey for a 3 pages-and-a-little-bit document, $30 for members and $60 for non-members, but if you find yourself negotiating an AIA form integrated agreement on behalf of an SER it may be worth a look.  The Commentary is also reviewed in the October 2011 edition of CASE, the ACEC Newsletter.

The AIA A295 form contains the general conditions for the AIA's integrated form of agreement.  You will also want to consult the AIA's "Integrated Project Delivery: a Guide."

The SER Commentary has specific tips that you will want to take into account, and points out where the AIA C401 document (Architect Consultant Agreement) may not be sufficient without modifiction. 

Many thanks to Mark,

Roland Nikles

*ACEC refers to American Council of Engineering Companies. 

Integrated Project Delivery and the Cost Curve

Integrated project delivery is touted by many as a better mousetrap, a way to use less cheese and catch more mice.  Hard data is not yet in to back up some of the more exhuberant claims of increased efficiency, and this may be one reason owners are reticent to grab these new types of agreement.  Another reason, posed by my article that appeared in the December Hill Newsletter, may be that integrated project delivery shifts the cost curve to earlier in the project, and this goes against the grain of most developers.