In a move aimed to improve federal government contracting for engineering services and construction contracts, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Utility Service (RUS) has recently has pre-approved two ConsensusDOCS contract documents in a recently issued guidance bulletin. RUS provides loans, guaranteed loans and grants for water, sewer, storm water and solid waste disposal facilities in cities and towns up to 10,000 people and rural areas. RUS is part of the USDA Rural Development, which in 2008 invested over $20.7 billion in rural America through its programs.
The bulletin specifically allows the use of ConsensusDOCS 200.2 Electronic Communications Protocol to establish a protocol to transmit information through electronic media. Using technology to communicate is considered by most as a best practice to improve both time and total cost on construction projects. Otherwise, the traditional design and construction process generally mandates use of hard copies - a slow process. Another improvement is in allowing use of the ConsensusDOCS 220 Contractor's Qualification Statement for Engineered Construction. Using standard qualifications statements assists construction owners in evaluations of bidder qualifications.
The RUS bulletin marks the first time the federal government has issued a guidance document allowing use of certain ConsensusDOCS contract documents. Access the full press release here. Please visit www.agc.org/contracts or contact Meghan McLellan at mclellanm@agc.org or (703) 837-5417 for more information.
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