INTRODUCTION

The University generally uses three types of standard construction documents: the Long Form, Short Form, and Brief Form. Other standard construction documents are also available including contract forms for use in Design-Build and CM at Risk modes of contracting. Before selecting the type of construction documents, the Facility must determine, at minimum, the following:

• Mode of contracting (see [I]:1.1).
• Type of construction contract (see [I]:1.2).
• Estimated contract sum (see [I]:3.1).
• Method of contractor selection (see [I]:3.2).
• Method of determining the contract sum (see [I]:3.1).

The Long Form, Short Form, and Brief Form have been developed assuming the conditions listed below:

• The single contract type is used.
• The construction team consists of, at most, the Owner, the contractor, the Owner's Representative, and the design professional (see [I]:1.4).
• The stipulated-sum method of determining the contract sum is used.
• The complete plans and specifications contracting mode is used.

The Long Form, Short Form, and Brief Form have been approved for content by the Office of the President and for form (legal matters) by the Office of the General Counsel. If project conditions vary from those listed above, the construction documents must be modified (see [I]:5).

In general, the use of a more comprehensive type of construction documents is encouraged whenever it is in the University's best interest to do so. For example, when the construction cost is less than 1 million dollars (thus qualifying for the Short Form), but the work involves particularly complex time requirements, dangerous work, or special risks, it may be in the University's best interest to use the Long Form, where performance requirements are set forth in a more detailed manner.

The major differences between the three types of construction documents, including the factors that determine selection for type, are listed in RD1.2.

3.1 ESTIMATED CONTRACT SUM

The estimated contract sum is one of several important factors that determine the selection of the type of construction documents to be used.

3.1.1 General Dollar Limitations

The general dollar limitations (based on the estimated contract sum) for using each type of construction documents are as follows:

• Long Form: no dollar limitation
• Short Form: up to $1 million (see RD1.2 Note 2 if estimated contract sum >$200,000)
• Brief Form: up to 100,000

When the estimated contract sum is less than $50,000, negotiated contracting may be used. When the estimated contract sum is not more than $100,000 informal competitive bidding may be used in conjunction with the Brief Form. When the estimated contract sum is over $100,000 formal competitive bidding is required. If a project has an estimated cost in excess of $100,000 and is divided into smaller sub-projects for contracting purposes, each sub-project must be formally competitively bid.

In summary, the Brief Form may be used for projects with estimated contract sums not more than $100,000. The Short Form may be used for projects with estimated contract sums up to $1 million dollars. The Long Form, or other approved documents, must be used for projects with estimated contract sums of $1 million or more.

3.1.2 Federally Funded Projects

On projects funded in whole or in part by the federal government, the rules of the funding agency must be reviewed for competitive bidding and public advertising requirements. Federal agencies require competitive bidding with public advertising only on projects with estimated construction costs exceeding $10,000. If the funding agency requires an affirmative action program as a condition for funding, then an affirmative action program that is in compliance with the funding agency's requirement must be included in the bidding documents and the contract documents.

Construction projects at the National Laboratories must comply with the management contracts between the Department of Energy and the University of California. Policies and procedures governing competitive bidding and other construction requirements at the National Laboratories are found in the Laboratory Procurement Policy and Standard Practices Manual. This is published and maintained by the Laboratory Administration Office within the Office of the President. (See Business and Finance Bulletin BUS 43 Part 2, Responsibility and Authority, paragraph I.A.7).

3.1.3 Lowest Informal Bid Exceeds $100,000

If the estimated contract cost is $100,000 or less, informal bidding a may be used to solicit bids. However, if the lowest responsible bid (see FM5[I]:7.1) received from an informal bidding solicitation is more than $100,000, the bid must not be accepted. The project must then be formally competitively bid, including but not limited to advertising, payment and performance bonds and a bid security requirement.

3.1.4 Equipment Purchase and Installation

References:

"Materiel Management: Purchasing Material or Equipment Which Requires Installation," Business and Finance Bulletin, BUS-43 (Interim), University of California, Office of the Senior Vice President Administration, Oakland, CA, March 15, 1994.

The following requirements of BUS-43 apply to University campuses only:

The purchase of material or equipment and its installation shall be handled as separate transactions when possible. If separate transactions are not possible after consideration of time, cost, and supplier requirements; the installation involves the erection, construction, alteration, repair, or improvement of any University structure; and the state of California requires a contractor to have an active, valid license in order to perform the work; then the procurement shall be processed according to procedures set forth in the University Facilities Manual with appropriate provisions included to govern the material or equipment being purchased.

3.2 CONTRACTOR SELECTION

Certain rules apply to contractor selection: ( See FM5[I] )

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