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Adjacencies A sketch or list that depicts the relative locations of the items in the program

Alternate Bid Amount stated in the bid to be added or deducted from the base bid amount proposed for alternate materials and/or methods of construction.

As-Built Drawings Contract drawings marked up to reflect changes made during the construction process.

CDs Construction Documents (AKA Bid documents)  This refers to the complete set of plans, including contracts, drawings, specifications, special provisions, and other supporting documentation used for erecting a facility.

CM -Construction Management or Construction Manager  This refers to the practice of overseeing a construction project progress and performance.It also refers to the individual(s) responsible for this practice.

CO-Change Order A change order is a formal, agreed-upon modification to a project’s scope, schedule, or cost.

Constructability Review Review of plans and specifications by a construction professional to ensure accuracy and proper detail of the construction plans.

Critical Path The set of activities that must be completed on time for the project completion date to be met. Activities on the critical path have no slack time, if an item on the critical path is delayed one day, the completion date for the entire project will also be delayed one day.

General Conditions A written portion of the contract documents that stipulate non-construction type activities such as clean up, temporary on-site facilities, support services, etc.

GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price) A type of contract where the contractor agrees to complete a project as depicted on the plans and specifications for a predetermined maximum cost. GMP’s are subject to increases in the event of change orders. This is the maximum amount of labor,materials,and profit costs that a contractor can charge for a project, based on the drawings and specifications before any changes are made.

Indoor Air Quality This describes the air quality inside and around buildings in the context of the health and comfort of its occupants.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) sustainable design through use of materials, construction practices,efficient building design, etc. An internationally used green building rating system developed by the US Green Building Association

Liquidated Damages An agreed upon contractual amount that will be back charged to the contractor in the event the project is not completed on time through the fault of the contractor

MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) refers to Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing engineering in the context of building design and construction,

Preliminary or Conceptual Design A sketch of one or more concepts that would meet the owners needs

Program A list of the individual spaces and their respective sizes that would be required to meet the owner’s needs

Project Architect  The person, firm or corporation appointed by the Owner to provide a design and construction documents.

Referendum A referendum is a direct vote by the public on a proposed construction project or related measure, such as a bond issue                                        

RFP Request for Proposals A formal request by an owner or owner’s representative for a contractor to present an approach or plan for completing project work.

Schedule of  Values  A breakdown of the activities included in a contract price that allocates values to the individual tasks included in the total price.

Scope Changes A change in the type or amount of work originally depicted on the plans and specifications

Scope of Work A written description of the wok to be included in a proposal

SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act) is a New York State law requiring government agencies and officials to assess the environmental,social,and economic impacts of proposed actions and to give these factors equal weight in decision­ making. Through a multi-step process, including environmental assessment forms (EAFs), SEQRA ensures a thorough “hard look” at potential environmental and community impacts before projects are approved, funded, or undertaken. SEQRA analysis must be completed before a referendum vote can be scheduled.

Specifications  A detailed statement of particulars, especially statements prescribing materials and quality of work for a specific project.

Time and Materials (T&M)  A written agreement between the owner and the contractor wherein payment is based on the contractor’s actual cost for labor, equipment, materials, and services plus a fixed or percentage-based add-on amount to cover the contractor’s overhead and profit.

Trades refers to specialized, hands-on professions like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and masonry that involve building, maintaining,and repairing physical structures or infrastructure and systems.

Value Engineering Evaluation of construction methods and/or materials to determine which have the net result of reducing costs, consistent with specified performance, reliability, maintainability, aesthetic, safety, and security criteria.