Specification Brief—Overview

Architectural and engineering consultants are provided with a Specification Brief as part of the request for proposals (RFP) documentation. The document provides reference information to assist the firm in developing project specifications and includes a Plans and Specifications Index and a Sample Addenda. These documents are used to enhance the quality of project specifications and must be used in conjunction with all components of the contract including General Conditions, Instructions to Bidders, Terms of Payment etc. Project managers must promote the use of this document and ensure that their consultants actually become familiar with the Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) frameworks, formats, reference information and processes related to specifications and drawings, and that they are held accountable to provide quality specifications and drawings.

Project managers are responsible to manage a final review of the specifications with appropriate resource discipline expertise knowledgeable with Canadian National Master Construction Specification (NMS) and the control of document definition and production, prior to the solicitation of tenders. Tender document checklists have been developed for mandatory use in National Capital Area (NCA) (optional in other regions). One checklist is for "Specifications" and the other for "Drawings and Addenda". They are to be utilized by project managers in the final review of the specifications and drawings before they are forwarded to Real Property Contracting Services to solicit construction tenders. The use of checklists will assist project managers and their consultants in the development and consistent application of quality project specifications which will improve the procurement process and enhance overall project delivery.

Specification Brief

1. Purpose

This document states specification policy and provides the framework, format and reference information, to assist the specification writer in developing the project specifications.

2. National Master Specification

The Canadian National Master Construction Specification (NMS) is a bilingual system of master construction specification sections, which are divided into 50 Divisions and used for a wide range of construction and/or renovation projects. In preparing project specifications, the consultant shall use the current edition of the NMS in accordance with the "NMS User's Guide". The consultant retains overriding responsibility for content and shall edit, amend and supplement the NMS as deemed necessary to produce an appropriate project specification free from conflict and ambiguity. It is required that all project specifications include "Section 01 35 30—Health and Safety Requirements" in accordance with project manager's specialized instructions to meet regional requirements.

3. Regional Guide Specifications

Some regions maintain abridged versions of the NMS Division 1 specifications which includes requirements peculiar to the federal, provincial or regional authorities having jurisdiction. The consultant should contact the project manager to obtain the region's requirements for Division 1 or other short form specifications as might be appropriate.

4. Specification Organization

Since its inception, the NMS structure has been based on "Masterformat", a List of Section titles and numbers which is jointly produced by the Construction Specifications Institution of the United States and Construction Specifications Canada. Narrowscope sections describing single units of work are preferred for more complex work, however, broadscope sections may be more suitable for less complex work. The consultant should consult with the project manager to determine if either the NMS 1/3 - 2/3 page format or the Construction Specifications Canada full page format will be utilized

5. Specifying Materials

The practice of specifying actual brand names, model numbers, etc., is against departmental policy except for special circumstances. The method of specifying materials and the use of trade names shall be as stated hereunder, and in the following order of preference:

• Specify by using recognized standards such as those produced by Canadian Gas Association (CGA), Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB), Canadian Standards Association (CSA), and Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (ULC), or by trade assocations such as Canadian Roofing Contractors' Association (CRCA) and Terrazzo, Tile, Marble Association of Canada (TTMAC). Canadian standards should be used wherever possible.
• Where no standards exist, specify by a non-restrictive, non-trade name "prescription" or "performance" specification.
• Where no standards exist and where a suitable non-restrictive, non-trade name prescription" or "performance" specification cannot be developed, specify by trade name. Include only materials acceptable for the purpose intended, and in the case of equipment, identify by type and model number.

Restrict the use of trade names to the following situations where:

• only one specific material will fulfill the exact requirements of the project.
• specific materials are required to match existing materials.
• the project has an unusual function or timing requirement such as emergency repairs

List all trade names of materials acceptable for the purpose and make reference to the Instructions to Tenderers for the method of approving alternative materials. Set up trade name specifications as follows:

Acceptable Materials:

1. ABC Co. Model [ ].
2. DEF Co. Model [ ].
3. GHI Co. Model [ ].
4. Alternative Materials: Approved by addendum in accordance with Instructions to Tenderers.

Alternatively, include the following article in Part 1 of each Section in which trade names appear:

Acceptable Materials: Where materials are specified by trade name refer to the Instructions to Tenderers for a procedure to be followed in applying for approval of alternatives.

The reference to the Instructions to Tenderers in the above examples is necessary to remove any suggestion of partiality and to ensure that all suppliers are aware of the provision for alternative proposals during the tendering period. The onus will be on the consultant to review and evaluate all requests for approval of alternative materials.

Use of trade names on drawings is unacceptable, as are phrases such as "or equal" or "equivalent to" when providing for alternative materials. The term "Acceptable Manufacturers" should not be used, as this restricts competition and does not ensure the actual material or product will be acceptable. A list of words and phrases that should be avoided is included in the NMS User's Guide.

6. Standards

As references in the NMS may not be the most current, it is the responsibility of the consultant to ensure that the project specification uses the latest applicable edition. Following is a list of Internet Web sites which provide the most current publications of standards for reference in the construction specification document

• CSA standards
• CGSB standards
• ANSI standards
• ASTM Standards
• ULC standards
• For the Web site addresses of other standards organizations and manufacturers associations, refer to "Section 01 42 00 - References" in the NMS. The Canadian National Master Construction Specification web site also links to other documents references in the NMS under its "Links" feature.

7. Canadian Materials

Specify Canadian materials to the fullest extent practicable and consistent with implementing the work in an economical and expeditious manner.

8. Cash Allowances

Specifications and drawings should be complete and contain all of the requirements for the contractual work. Cash allowances are to be used only under exceptional circumstances, where no other method of specifying is appropriate. Senior project manager's approval should be obtained to incorporate cash allowances and "Section 01 21 00—Allowances" of the NMS should be used to specify the criteria.

9. Extended Warranties

It is the practice of PSPC to avoid extending warranties for more than 24 months. When necessary to extend beyond the 12 month warranty period provided for in the General Conditions of the contract, use the following wording in Part 1 of the applicable technical sections, under the heading "Warranty":

• Major Work (over $100,000)
  "For the work of this Section [ ], the 12 month warranty period prescribed in Subsection GC 32.1 of General Conditions "C" is extended to 24 months"
• Minor Works (under $100,000)
  "For work of this Section [ ], the 12 month warranty period prescribed in Section 24 of the General Conditions is extended to 24 months."
• Where the extended warranty is intended to apply to a particular part of a specification section modify the above as follows: "For [insulating glass units] the 12 month … [ ] months."

Based on past performance, extended warranties may be required for defects which are likely to occur after the twelve month warranty period provided for in the General Conditions (i.e. roofing and waterproofing, exterior wood doors, caulking, etc.).

10. Terminology

Use the term "Engineer" instead of PSPC, owner, consultant or architect. Engineer is defined in the contract documents and means the officer or employee of Her Majesty who is designated pursuant to the contract and includes a person specially authorized by the engineer to perform, on the engineer's behalf, any of the engineer's functions under the contract and is so designated in writing to the contractor.

The drawings and specifications are complementary and numeric values are to be in metric only. The consultant should not rely solely on a mandatory site visit to complete the information. Notations such as: "verify on site", "as instructed", "to be determined on site by engineer", should not be indicated in the specifications and/or drawings as this promotes inaccurate bids and inflated tenders. Drawings and specifications must permit tenderers to calculate all quantities and bid accurately. If quantities are impossible to identify (i.e. cracks to be repaired) give an estimated quantity for bid purposes (unit prices). Ensure that the terminology used throughout the drawings and specifications is consistent and does not contradict the applicable standard construction contract documents.

11. Documentation

Consultant shall provide:

• Specification:
  • provide originals printed one side on 216 mm x 280 mm white bond paper.
  • start each Section on a new page and show Project Number, Section Title, five digit Section Number and Page Number on each page. Specification date and consultant's name are not to be indicated.
• Index: as per Appendix 'A'
• Addenda (if required): as per Appendix 'B' (to be issued by PSPC).
• Drawings: reproducible originals, sealed and signed by the design authority.
• Tender information:
  • provide a description of all units and estimated quantities to be included in unit price table.
  • provide a list of significant trades including costs. PSPC will then determine which trades, if any, will be tendered through the Bid Depository.

PSPC shall provide:

• Front and Back Cover
• Special Addenda
• Instructions to Tenderers
• Tender Form
• Standard Construction Contract Documents:
  • for Major Works (over $100,000.00) :
    • General Instructions to Tenderers.
    • Articles of Agreement
    • Terms of Payment "B"
    • General Conditions "C"
    • Labour Conditions "D"
    • Insurance Conditions "E"
    • Contract Security Conditions "F"
  • for Minor Works (under $100,000.00):
    • General Conditions - Minor Works
    • Labour Conditions

12. Attachments

• Appendix 'A': Sample Index for Plans and Specifications
• Appendix 'B': Sample Addendum Format

Appendix 'A': Sample Index for Plans and Specifications

Appendix 'B': Sample Addendum Format

Forms, samples and checklists

• Tender Document Checklist (for Drawings and Addenda)
• Tender Document Checklist (for Specifications)

Date modified:

2019-11-06