Iowa's Department of Administration Services Adopts Use of ConsensusDocs Contracts for New Construction Projects

Iowa’s Department of Administration Services (DAS) has begun using standard contract documents developed by ConsensusDocs as the basis for its building contracts.  The state agency, which typically oversees 200 projects and $200 million worth of construction projects annually, is the latest in a series of construction owners to embrace the contract documents. “The new contracts and the new project delivery method have been well received by the industry and very successful,” said T. Ryan Lamb, Legal Counsel for the Department of Administrative Services.  “While there is no doubt that a successful project depends more upon good people than a good contract, DAS has found that a straight forward and risk-balanced contract (like the ConsensusDocs) gets the project off to a great start and puts project executive in a better position to make decisions.” The department will use ConsensusDocs as part of its standard contracts with private architectural and engineering services, construction management companies, and construction companies. “Moving to ConsensusDocs contracts was part of a significant effort by Iowa DAS to improve efficiency and project results,” said, Brian Perlberg, the executive director of ConsensusDocs. He adds, “As a significant public owner, the department’s use of ConsensusDocs provides a powerful example for other owners to get better prices by eliminating unnecessary risk contingencies.” Perlberg noted that the Master Builders of Iowa, the statewide building chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America played a key role in getting the state agency to adopt the documents. “Owners are realizing that fair contracts are in their best interests and adopting ConsensusDocs helps create a better business relationship to successfully build,” states Scott Norvell, the chapter’s CEO. Iowa joins a growing list of private and public owners that are using ConsensusDocs, including Capstone Bank and the North Carolina History Education Center.  Joy Parker, RN, CEO, Capital Park Family Health Center in Ohio comments, “Heart of Ohio Family Health Centers employed the industry-endorsed ConsensusDocs contracts to efficiently assemble and lead a design and construction team that delivered a cutting-edge, dispute-free project for us and for the community. We are proud of how the whole construction team used these documents to deliver this extraordinary project.” AGC members receive a 20% discount on all ConsensusDocs subscriptions.  Simply use Discount Code “AGC100” at www.ConsensusDocs.org.  For more information, please contact Erin Santiago (santiagoe@agc.org or 703-837-5390).