Last month, ConsensusDOCS released an entirely new online platform to deliver its construction form contracts.  ENR journalist Johanna Knapschaefer wrote a good piece about "ConsensusDOCS Contract Library Takes to the Cloud,"  where she described the real-time collaboration needed for contract negotiations.

I posted about the new technology by ConsensusDOCS that offered around the clock access, easy editing, easy collaboration, ability to convert, compare and track changes, as well as new legal commentary and user guides.  In addition to the wealth of documents already online, last week ConsensusDOCS released three new documents:

  • The new and only available of its kind ConsensusDocs 298 Joint Venture Agreement makes it easier for construction companies to combine expertise and share risks on projects.
  • The new ConsensusDocs 246 Owner and Geotechnical Consultant Agreement provides a balanced contract for the unique nature of geotechnical services.
  • The updated ConsensusDocs 421 Design-Builder’s Statement of Qualifications helps owners choose the best qualified design-build contractors at the best prices.

On the heals of the ConsensusDOCS annoucnment, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced the publication of six new Construction Management documents, a project checklist, and a Construction Classification Worksheet via the Documents-on-Demand™ Web site, which for nearly four years has offered PC, MAC and tablet users easy access to the AIA Contract Documents anytime and anywhere they have Internet access. According to an AIA press release, "These additions complete the conversion of paper AIA Contract Documents to the web-based service, bringing the total number of documents available through Documents-on-Demand to 106."

“Only the AIA’s Contract Documents provide the time-tested legal protection that has been the Industry Standard for over 120 years. The latest additions to our Documents-on-Demand contracts and forms have completed our ultimate goal of providing a comprehensive, quick and easy alternative to paper documents with the added benefit of anywhere, anytime online access,” said Maan Hashem, Managing Director, AIA Contract Documents Software and Services.  The following documents and forms have been added to AIA Documents-on-Demand:
 

  • A132–2009, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor, Construction Manager as Adviser Edition, and A132 Exhibit A, Determination of the Cost of the Work
  • A133–2009, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Construction Manager as Constructor where the basis of payment is the Cost of the Work Plus a Fee with a Guaranteed Maximum Price, and A133 Exhibit A, Guaranteed Maximum Price Amendment
  • A134–2009, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Construction Manager as Constructor where the basis of payment is the Cost of the Work Plus a Fee without a Guaranteed Maximum Price
  • A232–2009, General Conditions of the Contract for Construction, Construction Manager as Adviser Edition
  • B132–2009, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect, Construction Manager as Adviser Edition
  • C132–2009, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Construction Manager as Adviser
  • D200–1995, Project Checklist
  • G808–2001, Project Data, and G808A–2001, Construction Classification Worksheet

In the next few months, my partners Anne Gorham and Buck Hinkle will be preparing for a presentation on the comparison of the ConsensusDOCS and AIA contract documents.  Maybe we can convince them to give us a sneak peak of their presentation?