“As a CM, how do I best convey my intended and assumed scope of work and overall responsibility to all parties involved in the construction of a project I am bidding? I don’t want to be held responsible for something I haven’t bid.”
This is a terrific question and one that deserves revisiting. There are many excellent tools available to assist you and help open the risk management umbrella for you and your company. Probably the hardest part of this is getting everyone within your company to agree to your intended and stated scope, and not waiver from it in the name of being a nice guy for your customer. Once you have a written Scope of Work that both your corporate counsel and liability insurer agree with and provide coverage for, then you’re well on your way. The structural building components industry provides you with many of the other tools you need to protect your interest. Your first and perhaps most wide-reaching resource is the Building Code itself.
In the US, that would be the IBC/IRC as issued by the International Code Council and adopted in the majority of the country. IBC/IRC references our industry design standard, ANSI/TPI 1 (version 2014 being the latest in the 2015 I-Codes). Without specific language in the project specifications directing bidders elsewhere, or adding/deleting to/from TPI 1, the provisions of TPI 1, Chapter 2 are codified and therefore made an equal part of the project specifications.
Yes, you probably already knew that. The question for you then is this: “How are you telling the others involved in the project you are bidding what your assumptions are?” My suggestion to you is this: “Tell them with every piece of correspondence you have with each party…your Quote/Bid, your Delivery Ticket, and your Invoice. After all, the Building Code references TPI 1, the project specifications by the Building Designer reference TPI 1, so you should join that party – it’s to your distinct advantage!
Not only do you want to take the opportunity to highlight and reference ANSI/TPI 1 on all of your correspondence, but you also want to take the same opportunity to start the distribution of the BCSI Summary Sheets included in your Jobsite Delivery Package. Sending this information along in your Quote/Bid/Submittal correspondence shows your interest in providing the necessary information for safe and efficient storage, handling, and installation of the products you intend to provide.
I suggest adding the following disclosures (or something similar that has been reviewed and approved by your corporate counsel and liability insurer) to your correspondence with any parties involved in the process of review/approval/construction with your trusses. This will go a great distance in drawing the proverbial line in the sand when it comes to your scope of work assumptions as well as serve notice of the building code and project specification mandate for the division of responsibilities of all of the parties involved. You then become the resource for the free online information on not only the Design Responsibilities, but also the best practices for the safe handling, installing, restraining, and bracing of the quoted/supplied trusses.
Quote/Bid Disclosure
This Quote/Bid is offered based upon Plans & Specifications by (Building Designer info here), dated (xx/xx/xxxx, latest plan revision date [possibly also including RFI response dates] here). Further, per the referenced project specifications, the provisions of ANSI/TPI 1 – 2014, the National Design Standard for Metal Plate Connected Wood Truss Construction, shall be in effect. All parties are advised to familiarize themselves and their employees, contractors, sub-contractors, and/or installers, of the division of responsibilities in the design and application of MPCWT construction as defined in Chapter 2 of TPI 1. A free online read-only version of this referenced Standard is available at http://www.tpinst.org/technical-downloads.
This Quote/Bid submittal also includes the proposed Truss Submittal Package, (proposed Truss Placement Diagram) and BCSI Summary Sheets containing important information pertaining to the safe jobsite storage, handling, installing, restraining, and bracing of the quoted trusses. More information on BCSI, Building Component Safety Information, can be found on the SBCA website at http://support.sbcindustry.com/docs/06_BCSI_booklet_FINAL.pdf.
Delivery Disclosure (with receiver signature required)
I declare below that the above items were delivered and received on the jobsite in good condition. I further declare that I am in receipt of the Jobsite Delivery Package that includes the Truss Submittal Package and BCSI Summary Sheets containing important information pertaining to the safe handling, installing, restraining, and bracing of the delivered trusses. More information on BCSI, Building Component Safety Information, can be found online at http://support.sbcindustry.com/docs/06_BCSI_booklet_FINAL.pdf.
Further, per the building code, referenced project specifications and the Quote/Bid & Delivery acceptance, the provisions of ANSI TPI 1 – 2014, the National Design Standard for Metal Plate Connected Wood Truss Construction, shall be in effect. All parties are advised to familiarize themselves and their employees, contractors, sub-contractors, and/or installers of the division of responsibilities in the design and application of MPCWT construction as defined in Chapter 2 of TPI 1. A free online, read-only version of this referenced Standard is available at http://www.tpinst.org/technical-downloads.
Invoice Disclosure
Interest of x.x% per month will be charged on all past due invoices. All past due accounts will be charged x.x% per month on entire balance.
Further, per the building code and the referenced project specifications, Quote/Bid & Product Delivery acceptance, the provisions of ANSI TPI 1 – 2014, the National Design Standard for Metal Plate Connected Wood Truss Construction, are in effect for this project. All parties are advised to familiarize themselves and their employees of the division of responsibilities in the design and application of MPCWT construction as defined in Chapter 2 of TPI 1. A free online, read-only, version of this referenced Standard is available at http://www.tpinst.org/technical-downloads.
It has been a long, slow recovery from the bottom of the construction downturn. There are more than a few new folks on the block when it comes to MPCWT construction projects. Many of the experienced players are no longer involved anywhere in the process. There is a vast amount of education that needs to be done and it is the responsibility of all of us to do our part. As we discussed last month in this space, regarding recent code change proposals, there appears to be some question as to whether the built environment is meeting the Building Designer, Truss Designer, Building Code, or Building Owner’s assumptions and expectations. Providing these references and resources at every opportunity will go a long way in fulfilling your duty to warn and provide instruction on the safe use of your products. Your risk management umbrella will stand strong against the winds of challenge when you have done your part.
Thanks for reading, S.