New AIA contract document for facility support services released

The American Institute of Architects has released a new standard contract form to accommodate architects’ facility support services.

AIA Document B210–2017 is meant to be added to owner-architect agreements where architects provide services including building certification assistance, maintenance management services, digital facility management system operation, and ongoing commissioning services. The new form can be used with AIA Document B102–2017, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect, to provide the Architect’s sole scope of services.

It can also be used with B102–2017 in conjunction with other standard form services documents. The new form may also be incorporated into any owner-architect agreement when the agreement is used with G802–2017, Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement, to create a modification to any owner-architect agreement.

The new form provides a table that offers a broad listing of possible facility support services and can serve as a discussion guide for architects and owners to establish the final scope of services. Some of the services included in the scope of work go beyond traditional architectural services. The architect should thus consult with a professional liability insurance provider to find out if the non-traditional services are covered in the architect’s policy before beginning these services, AIA advises.

AIA contract documents may require modification to comply with state or local laws. Users should consult an attorney before completing or modifying a document, AIA says.

For more information, visit: www.aiacontracts.org.