AIA Document A141–2014 forms the nucleus of the Contract for Design-Build between the Owner and Design-Builder. The document consists of the Agreement portion and Exhibit A, a Design-Build Amendment that is executed when the Owner and Design-Builder have agreed on the Contract Sum. Additionally, A141–2014 includes two exhibits, Exhibit B, Insurance and Bonds, and Exhibit C, Sustainable Projects. Design-build is a process in which the owner contracts directly with one entity to provide both the design and construction of the project. The design-builder may be a design-build entity, an architect, construction contractor, real estate developer, or any person or entity legally permitted to do business as a design-builder in the jurisdiction where the project is located. The design-builder’s organization may take a variety of legal forms, such as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a joint venture, or a corporation. An architect or architectural firm choosing to function as a design-builder may directly contract to perform design-build services or, alternatively, may form a separate corporate entity or joint venture for design-build. In the 34-page A141, the Owner provides a set of Owner’s Criteria establishing the Owner’s requirements for the Project. Thereafter, the Design-Builder will review the Owner’s Criteria, develop a Preliminary Design and then provide a proposal to the Owner regarding the Contract Sum. Upon mutual agreement, the Owner and Design-Builder will execute the Design-Build Amendment to establish the Contract Sum and document the information upon which the Contract Sum is based. The Design-Build Amendment also includes the determination for the Cost of the Work, if the Contract Sum is based on a Cost of the Work with or without a Guaranteed Maximum Price.
When to use this document?
- Large design-build project
- Owner contracts with a single entity to provide both design and construction
