3 If several manufacturers are identified as capable of producing a custom
design, they should be mentioned by name with a predetermined product
reference number/code. Provide contact names, telephone numbers and
e-mail addresses whenever possible.
GUIDELINES
FOR SPECIFICATION
4 The custom luminaire manufacturer must include in his/her bid a working
INTEGRITY
prototype and/or mock-up for review as part of the custom design and
APPROACHES
manufacturing process, if requested in the specification.
5 Accept absolutely no substitutions on custom designs. Decision-maker
must understand the rationale for this prior to bidding.
6 Construct a separate ‘deduct alternate’ if budget may become an issue.
This will keep the specifier more in control in case of “value engineering.”
7 Custom designs should be fully worked out in the design phase if possible
and finalized in construction documentation at the latest. This allows
manufacturers to provide product numbers and appropriate unit costs so
that detailing can be worked out with the architect and project team. Keep
in mind that quantities have a significant impact on pricing for custom
designs.
8 Custom luminaire designs often require longer lead times than standard
products.
Note: Custom designs developed too late tend to get very expensive or
simply value engineered and substituted with something off the shelf and
undesirable.
F ALLOWANCE SPECIFICATION.
Purpose: When actual product has not yet been selected or specific design
approved. Often used in situations where the bidding climate is uncertain or
unknown. Always include an allowance when the schedule is issued for bid ifa
luminaire has not been agreed upon with your owner/client or design team.
1 Include enough information in the specification to allow the contractor to
accurately price installation, electrical and special needs (weight, voltage,
wattage, etc.).
2 Allowance should be a distributor net, plus “the distributor and contractor
mark-ups.”
Note: Allowances can be effectively used in the early design phases of a project
when designs are still fluid. However, later in the project allowances can be
easy targets of value engineering and should be avoided whenever possible.
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