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Bill Morley
Senior Member
Username: billm

Post Number: 13
Registered: 08-2005
Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 - 05:04 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I may be splitting hairs (too much time on my hands, apparently).

I am editing the Alternates section to include another deductive alternate. Should I write "Delete the casework" or "Omit the casework"?
Nathan Woods, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: nwoods

Post Number: 216
Registered: 08-2005
Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 - 05:23 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I prefer omit, though I can't tell you specifically why.
John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA
Senior Member
Username: bunzick

Post Number: 756
Registered: 03-2002
Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 - 05:53 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I would use "delete" as in "Delete the work of Section 064000 Architectural Woodwork". Also, I'd use "add" to describe the stuff that's added.
Bill Morley
Senior Member
Username: billm

Post Number: 15
Registered: 08-2005
Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 - 07:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

You know there's always that decision about whether to make the alternate bid an Add Alternate or a Deductive alternate. Maybe if we just made them all add alternates I wouldn't have to decide between 'delete' and 'omit'.

So far the "Delete or Omit" poll is running pretty even - about 50/50.

Maybe a better question to ask is whether it's better to write "Omit the casework" or "Delete the requirements for the casework". Like Nathan said, I can't tell you why that makes some sense to me.
Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: awhitacre

Post Number: 597
Registered: 07-2002
Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 - 07:18 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I think it depends on whether you think you're going to be over or under the budget amount and how limited the owner is and if they really want that thing (casework) or not.
since the bid form typically shows add/delete, I would go with "delete", but make sure (as John says)that you describe what goes in that space if the casework isn't there.
Ronald J. Ray, RA, CCS, CCCA
Senior Member
Username: rjray

Post Number: 73
Registered: 04-2004
Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 - 08:28 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Within an addenda, I use the terms "Add" and "Delete" (Delete Clause 2.03 A.3.b.)

In a discription to an alternate, I use something along the lines of "Delete the Work associated with plastic laminate casework in Training Room 118 and substitute the Work associated with wood veneer casework as indicated on the Drawings and specified under Section 06410." Yes, MasterFormat 1995. I tend to make changes only when they clearly result in an improvement rather than just a change for change sake.
Bob Woodburn
Senior Member
Username: bwoodburn

Post Number: 201
Registered: 01-2005
Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 - 09:42 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Delete: take out something already included (e.g. from the text, or from the document requirements; if it were already built, one would use "remove" or "demolish").

Omit: leave out something not yet included (e.g. from the bid, or from the Work).

Example: Delete casework requirements from the Project Manual, but omit casework from the bid, or from the project.

But if its cost is included in a [base] bid, an alternate to omit (not delete) it (from the job) would deduct (not delete) its cost.

DELETE contract requirements, OMIT work, DEDUCT cost.
David J. Wyatt, CSI, CCS, CCCA (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 09:04 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I think Bob has nailed it! Bob, I suggest you send this to the task team working on a standard design/cvonstruction glossary. Perhaps you are a team member.
Bill Morley
Senior Member
Username: billm

Post Number: 16
Registered: 08-2005
Posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 10:32 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Yea Bob.
Thanks.
Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED™ AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski

Post Number: 623
Registered: 07-2002
Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 11:06 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

What a clear, concise, complete and correct explanation. Thanks, Bob. This should be included in the glossary and the PRM 5.8.2 Vocabulary!
Bob Woodburn
Senior Member
Username: bwoodburn

Post Number: 202
Registered: 01-2005
Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 12:09 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

If you specify long enough, you get pretty good at splitting hairs.
Maybe I've been in this long enough...
John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: john_regener

Post Number: 320
Registered: 04-2002
Posted on Friday, July 20, 2007 - 11:31 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I think it depends upon WHEN the action is to be taken. "Omit" refers to a future condition; "when preparing the bid, omit [_____]." "Delete" refers to something already in place, such as a proposed change; "delete" [_____]."

When I prepare descriptions for alternate bids, I describe in detail two conditions: the Base Bid condition and the Alternate Bid condition. This has proven to be very beneficial because it forces the design decision maker to think through the whole matter. What is affected and what is unaffected by the alternate bid condition? Should there be consideration for future addition of omitted work (foundations, rough-ins, etc.)?

I don't say "additive" or "deductive" alternate because sometimes it is not known whether one condition or the other will be of greater/lesser cost or lesser/greater time. Let the Contractor determine and state whether the net result is additive or deductive (although certainly some conditions are obviously additive or deductive).

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