Download - Writing Effective Technical Specifications
1
Writing Effective Technical
Specificationsfor Public Construction
Projects Mike PurdyMichael E. Purdy Associates
(206) [email protected]
www.mpurdy.com
2
- Agenda
1. What Does Your State Law Require?2. Why Good Specifications Are Important3. Types of Specifications4. Sources of Specification Language5. Tips in Writing Specifications6. Interpretation of Specifications7. Warranties8. Bidder Responsibility Criteria
3
What Does Your State Law Require?
Learn what your state law requires says that public agencies must comply with regarding specifications for your public works construction projects.
4
Why Good Specifications Are Important
Why do we have competitive bidding? How do specifications affect bidding? How do specifications help control
costs? How do specifications ensure a quality
project? How specifications impact permit
issuance?
5
Types of Specifications
Design Performance Standard Proprietary (Sole Source) Building Engineering Systems
6
Sources of Specification Language
Standard Specifications Industry Sources Other Government Agencies Consultants (architects and engineers) Previous projects Custom written by public agency staff
7
Tips in Writing Specifications
Disputes Clarity and Simplicity Say it Once Definitions Make the Contractor Responsible Avoid Submissions with Bid Means and Methods Level of Precision Verifying Performance Streamlined specs vs. full sentences Sentence Construction Words and Phrases to Avoid
8
Interpretation of Specifications
Complementary components Interpret documents as a whole Order of Precedence Dealing with Ambiguities
9
Warranties
Types of Warranties
Impact of length of warranties
Availability
10
Bidder Responsibility Criteria
What is “Responsibility”?
Types of Bidder Responsibility Criteria:
Tips for writing Supplemental Bidder
Responsibility Criteria
Specification Qualifications
11
Want More Information onWriting Effective Technical Specifications?
Duration: Normally a 4 hour class
Cost: Cost varies depending on location and travel time
Contact Us: Contact Michael E. Purdy Associates to discuss scheduling this training for your agency or company
12
Michael E. Purdy Associates- Contact Us
Mike Purdy Principal
(206) [email protected]
www.mpurdy.com
Mike Purdy’s Public Contracting Blog: http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com
13
Michael E. Purdy Associates- About Us
Public Contracting Advice for Public Agencies & Businesses
Since 2005
Strategies– Developing and implementing strategies
Solutions – Solving problems and addressing challenges
Training– Providing tailored training
14
Michael E. Purdy Associates- Subscribe by e-mail to the Blog
1515
Michael E. Purdy Associates: Mike Purdy has more than 29 years of experience as a manager in public contracting and procurement. He is the principal of Michael E. Purdy Associates (www.mpurdy.com), a consultant firm established in 2005 to help public agencies and businesses develop and implement effective contracting strategies, solve contracting problems, and learn more about contracting and procurement through tailored training. He maintains the popular Public Contracting Blog at http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com.
Experience: Mike is also the Contracts Manager for the University of Washington’s Capital Projects Office and is responsible for managing design and construction contracts for more than $1 billion worth of projects at the University. Before joining the UW in 2005, he spent five years at the Seattle Housing Authority where he served as Contracting and Procurement Manager, overseeing all of the contracting and purchasing (construction, design consultants, other consultants, goods, supplies, and services) for the largest residential landlord in the state. Prior to that he worked for the City of Seattle for more than 21 years, where he administered the City’s construction and consultant contracts as the City’s Contracting Manager.
Education: He has a bachelor’s degree in business and public administration and an MBA, both from the University of Puget Sound, and a master of divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary.
