What Are AIA Contract Documents?

What Are AIA Contract Documents?

For 120 years, the AIA has defined the relationships and terms in design and construction projects through its AIA Contract Documents. With nearly 200 forms and contracts that have been prepared by owners, contractors, attorneys, architects, and engineers from around the United States, these documents have been finely tuned and embraced by the industry, to the point that they are now widely recognized as the industry standard.

HISTORY OF THE AIA DOCUMENTS COMMITTEE

History of the AIA Documents Committee

The AIA Documents Committee has been a standing committee of the American Institute of Architects since its inception in 1887. Over the years, the committee has gone by several names, but its purpose has remained consistent: develop and maintain reliable, relevant, and rock solid agreements for the A/E/C industry. The Committee has gradually added members since the 1970s and presently features 25 to 30 members from various practices, including insurance experts, legal counsel, and architects from around the country. Today, the committee continues to draft and update suites of Contract Documents on a uniform ten-year cycle. The next releases, in 2017, mark the 130th anniversary of the AIA Documents Committee.

RETURN TO WHAT ARE CONTRACT DOCS?

Who Uses AIA Contract Documents?

Architects
Owners
Contractors
Attorneys

AIA Contract Documents Are Grouped into Families by the Delivery Model or Needs of the Project

Design-Build

Design-Build

In design-build project delivery, the owner enters into a contract with a design-builder who is obligated to design and construct the project. The design-builder then enters into contracts with architects and construction contractors, as needed.

Design-Bid-Build

Design-Bid-Build

The Conventional family, within this particular model, is most commonly used of all AIA Contract Documents because they are suitable for the conventional delivery approach of design-bid-build. Use of the Conventional (A201) documents family may be appropriate when the owner's project is divided into separate contracts for design (with the architect) and construction (with one or more contractors).

Construction Manager as Constructor

Contruction Manager as Constructor

Use of the Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc) family of AIA Contract Documents may be appropriate when the owner’s project employs a construction manager who will complete the construction and also provide construction management services. Under the Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc) approach, the functions of contractor and construction manager are merged and assigned to one entity that may or may not give a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) but typically assumes control over the construction work by direct contracts with the subcontractors.

Construction Manager as Adviser

Construction Manager as Adviser

Use of the Construction Manager as Adviser (CMa) family of AIA Contract Documents may be appropriate when the owner’s project incorporates a fourth prime player—the construction manager—on the construction team (owner, architect and contractor) to act as an independent adviser on construction management matters through the course of both design and construction.

INTEGRATED PROJECT Delivery (IPD)

IPD

Integrated project delivery (IPD) is a collaborative project delivery approach that utilizes the talents and insights of all project participants through all phases of design and construction.

Other Project Types/Delivery Methods

Other Projects Types/Delivery Methods

Contract Administration and Project Management Forms
Digital Practice documents
Program Management family
Small Projects family

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