760
Special Procedures: Product Development
Modern conventional specifications are increasingly performance-
oriented, and VA Master Construction Specifications are a case in point.
Under most imaginable circumstances, the use of performance
specifications in this context has no real advantage over direct subsystem
design by the A/E, and it could have serious disadvantages, primarily
large contingency factors in building contractor bidding and delays in the
construction schedule.
764.3.4
The Prototype Design does, however, present one opportunity for some
product development work, and that is in optimizing the detailed design of
the ceiling system. If a carefully planned program could be started
promptly after commitment of design funds, there is probably enough time
available for a limited but useful manufacturer response to a request for
performance design and bids, even within an accelerated design and
construction schedule. Use of phased bidding and construction
management would in fact improve feasibility. A format for a ceiling
system performance specification is provided for this purpose (Section
770).
A discussion of how the specifications could be utilized within a single
building project is presented in Section 764.4 below.
764.4
A DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR A SPECIAL CEILING SYSTEM
764.4.1
Determine Feasibility
An initial study is made to determine if the scheduled time available before
the ceiling system must be installed in a building for which design funds
have been committed is adequate for a superimposed development
program. Potential bidders are identified and interviewed to assess
research and development capabilities. They are given all pertinent
information such as the Prototype Design, performance requirements,
preliminary cost targets, and delivery schedule. If these discussions
indicate that there are capable manufacturers willing to invest
development effort within the given constraints, and that this effort is more
likely to lead to a cost-effective solution than direct design by the A/E
utilizing products already available, the program is considered feasible.
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