B SINGLE NAME SPECIFICATION (A.K.A. PROPRIETARY SPECIFICATION)
PURPOSE: WHEN ONLY ONE PRODUCT IS SUITABLE FOR THE APPLICATION
AND/OR NO KNOWN EQUALS EXIST.
GUIDELINES 1 List the one and only product by manufacturer name and specific catalog
FOR SPECIFICATION
number.
INTEGRITY
APPROACHES
2 Advise the Owner and project team prior to the bid date that these
particular products are set aside for this treatment because of their unique
character
3 Indicate in the specification that submission of other than the listed
product(s) will not be considered.
4 Make it clear in the specification that accurate pricing for all single name
products has been secured prior to bidding and that the information has
been shared with the owner/client.
5 Require unit pricing for product which clearly indicates what the contractor
is charging the Owner for the equipment.
6 Prepare for the Owner in advance a detailed list of all the technical,
performance and design features that warrant this product’s special
consideration.
C MULTIPLE NAME SPECIFICATION
PURPOSE: When several products are available that will meet the design,
performance and budgetary requirements of the project/application, and gives
the select manufacturers the opportunity to bid the job competitively.
1 List two or more products by manufacturer name and specific catalog
number. Whenever possible, list a product with the ordering number to
serve as the preferred choice and benchmark of quality. In addition, list up
to 2 alternate choices with manufacturer name only - unless you have
specifically agreed otherwise.
2 No two products are “truly equal” as this would most likely have copyright
and patent infringements. Products which are ‘substantially similar’ may
be appropriate to list in a multiple name specification.
3 Avoid using “or equal” in the specification. Such language is too vague.
Instead use “or approved equal” or “accepted alternate per specification”
in the specification. This keeps the specification open, but allows the
designer to evaluate what might be submitted as an “equal.”
Note: Multiple name specifications may not allow the project team to fully
plan, budget, coordinate and detail the design since it is unknown which
product will ultimately be provided to the project.
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