Glossary

The services and fees proposed by a design consultant for performing tasks outside the scope of the base contract. Additional services often are associated with the design of work created by Change Orders.

A licensed professional who has primary legal responsibility for the design and documentation of the project.

The total floor area of the project, including circulation, structure, and mechanical spaces.

The floor area of a project's space, including circulation (lobbies and corridors) and mechanical spaces (rooms housing air handling equipment, electrical closets, and public toilets).

The floor area of a project's space available to house the End User's Program. This definition excludes circulation, mechanical, and structural spaces.

Services required for a building's operations, which are delivered through a University-maintained distribution system. Examples include chilled water and data communications. Should the project requirements necessitate expansion of existing services, the project cost and schedule will be affected. 

Projects whose costs is typically less than $1M. Includes both centrally funded Capital Renewal Projects and other projects sponsored by academic or administrative units of the University. 

Centrally funded projects that seek to reinvest in the campus infrastructure, buildings, and grounds to maintain a state of good repair (SOGR).

A modification in the terms of the Construction Agreement between the Contractor and the University. Typically change orders result from unforeseen field conditions, errors or omissions in documentation and revisions and scope changes to the scope of work.

The project sponsor. Typically the school, department, or center that requests and works with Facilities to deliver the project. Usually the client is the ‘user' of the space to be improved and ‘funds' the project. In those instances where the project sponsor is not the user or is not funding the project it is incumbent on the project sponsor to secure support and approval from the other project constituencies as needed throughout the project delivery process. 

The relevant government (city, commonwealth and federal) regulations and requirements to which the design of facilities must conform.

The text of the agreement between builder or construction manager and the University which sets forth the terms and conditions under which the builder will perform the work. This document is one of the Contract Documents.

Drawings showing in detail in the work to be constructed and written specifications of materials, equipment and similar items to be used in the project.

A budget allowance to cover the cost of additional construction work beyond that represented in the Contract Documents because of unforeseen field conditions. The contingency amount is typically 5-10% of the estimated construction cost but the actual percentage can vary according to the size and complexity of the project.

A budget allowance used during the design phase of the project to cover the cost of design parameters and requirements that become known as the design develops. The contingency amount typically starts out as 10-15% at the start of design and is reduced as the design progresses. No design contingency is carried in the project budget after design has been completed. 

A budget allowances to pay for the costs of unforeseen events that can occur during the life of a project. These events include not only construction events, such as overtime cost to meet critical completion dates, but also other unplanned costs such as additional design fees for correcting unexpected field conditions or increased costs for moving, furniture, audio visual, signage and telecommunications systems. The contingency amount is typically 10% of the project cost.  

The instrument used to bid the work, to identify the scope of work and to contract with the builder. Contract Documents include Construction Documents, Construction Agreement, and General and Special Conditions.

Capital Project Management

A statement of the University's requirements for the design of its facilities. Guidelines include statements on the type of materials, appearance, and criteria to be used in selecting operating systems equipment. The Design Guidelines promote the development of a serviceable, durable, and functional facility.

The University department or other operational unit which will occupy the facility being developed.

The anticipated cost of materials, labor, equipment or any combination of these for a proposed construction project.

The design and condition of a building's interior spaces, operating systems, structural elements and envelope such as roofing, fenestration, and facade and environmental conditions such as the presence of hazardous materials. Existing conditions affect the design solution, the amount and cost of work to prepare the site for construction, the cost of providing or upgrading utility services, and construction costs and completion schedu1e.

This activity can include some or all of the following elements-office partitions, ceiling, wall and floor finishes, lighting, data and telecommunication services, window treatment built-in and movable furniture and casework, special built-in equipment and casework e.g., lab benches, casework, fume hoods. The level of finishes will influence the project's cost, serviceability and functionality. Some equipment requires several months to manufacture and deliver for installation. The architect/engineer must include this "lead time" in the project schedule and in establishing the project completion date.

Costs directly associated with building a project. Typically these costs include expenditures for construction, landscaping, and fixed equipment.

Heating Ventilation And Air Conditioning

The basic utilities, services and facilities on which the operations of campus buildings depend. Examples include power, water, steam and chilled water. The term also describes the systems required to operate a building-electrical power distribution, HVAC equipment, telecommunications lines etc.

University policy to award 25% of the value of all subcontracing construction, maintenance and repair spend to minority, women- and locallly-owned firms.  Similarly, the University has a workforce goal of 40% minority, women and local participation.  

List of construction contractors deemed suitable to bid on University projects.  The evaluation process includes an assessment of the firm's specialty, past experience and ability to meet the University's insurance requirements.

A diagrammatic solution to the space and functional program needs consisting of drawings showing the approximate size, scale and location of the facilities and spaces.    

An approval form that includes estimate of the cost to produce a Preliminary Design and generate a Project Budget. This form must be authorized and a bill-back account number provided before Preliminary Design can proceed.  

Document signed by the Client after the Preliminary Design has been completed and the Project Budget has been established.  Approval of this document authorizes the completion of Construction Documents and construction of the project. 

Estimate of the Hard and Soft Costs of the project. Includes allowances and contingencies.

 

The University's formal mechanism to authorize projects with total cost over $100,000. The document includes a description of purpose, need, scope, budget, financing, etc.  

A list prepared at or near the completion of the project of the items of work that have been observed as incomplete or requiring correction. The Architect or Project Manager typically prepares the punch list, occasionally with input from the Client and others. The Contractor is responsible to completing the punch list before Final Completion may be declared and final payment authorized.   

A change in the design of a project during the construction phase that affects its cost or schedule. The magnitude of a scope change will determine its effect on project cost and schedule. A scope change may include modification requested by the end use or may be proposed to correct design deficiencies and therefore make the project more functional or serviceable for an End User and meet its expectations for the facility.

Costs associated with the design, administration and furnishing of the project typically including: design fees, project management fees, building operating equipment furniture and fit out signage, move-in, legal fees, and contingencies.

unit of measurement

When a project has been determined to be ready for it intended use and occupancy. Generally this means that with the exception of minor punch list all of the work has been completed, the space has been furnished, and all newly installed systems and equipment are in working order. The date of substantial completion initiates warranty periods for the installed work.

A simple floor plan used to confirm that the stated program requirements can be accommodated within the space to be improved.  

Full cost of the project including both hard and soft cost items. 

The identification of alternative design solutions, materials, finishes and equipment without compromising the projects stated schedule, program, or design standards. The objective is generally to reduce either initial or life cycle costs.