Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors, LEED BD+C: Core and Shell, LEED BD+C: Schools

Rating System Version

v3 - LEED 2009, v2 - Schools 2007, v2 - LEED 2.2

Inquiry

This project is a 53,444 sf college building, located on an existing university campus, seeking LEED NC version 2.2 certification by the USGBC. The intent of this Credit Interpretation Request is to seek clarification on the acceptability of using two parties as CxA and also of dividing the Enhanced Commissioning tasks. The project is unique in that it has a Cx consultant (Advanced Building Performance, Inc.) on the A/E team as well as a Commissioning agent (Facility Dynamics Engineering) under the CM contract. This setup was stipulated by the owner\'s procurement procedures with ABP assisting the design team during the design phase and a separate firm performing commissioning tasks during construction. While ABP, the independent third party commissioning agent will do EAc3 tasks 2,3 and 6, FDE has been assigned EAc3 tasks 4 and 5. Enhanced Cx Credit requirements summary per USGBC\'s document \' Who can be commissioning authority\' (https://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=1262) 1. Prior to construction documents phase designate an independent commissioning authority to oversee "all commissioning activities." 2. CxA to perform review of OPR, BOD and design documents prior to mid-construction documents phase and perform a back-check. (ABP task) 3. CxA to review contractor submittals. (ABP task) 4. Develop a systems manual. (FDE task) 5. Verify operator and occupant training. (FDE task) 6. CxA to perform a post-occupancy review. (ABP task) FDE was selected by the owner based on competitive pricing provided by the GC along with other selection factors and assigned to the GC for contracting purpose. FDE is not directly selected by the GC and has no project management or oversight responsibilities other than commissioning. They will be allowed unfettered communication directly with the owner. The CIR seeks to clarify if this contracting arrangement will be allowed for the purposes of performing EAc3 tasks 4 & 5 by a separate commissioning agent, under contract with the project\'s Construction Manager.