POSITION STATEMENTS
The Consulting Architects of Alberta (CAA) has developed a series of position statements to establish industry standards and best practices, aiming to foster positive business relationships and project success. These statements serve as guidelines for both clients and consultants in the architectural field.
Edmonton EXPO Centre Rehabilitation
Designer: ACI Architecture Inc.; Photographer: Adam Borman Photo
KEY POSITION STATEMENTS:
BUNDLING OF PROJECTS
The CAA advises minimizing the bundling of design projects, such as schools or hospitals, as combining disparate projects in a single proposal can lead to unintended consequences for all stakeholders. READ MORE...
DESIGN SERVICES DURING
PROCUREMENT
The CAA recommends that design services not be required as part of the procurement process unless compensated in accordance with the guidelines for design competitions established by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) or as mandated by the Alberta Association of Architects (AAA). READ MORE...
FEES AND SCOPE OF SERVICES
In collaboration with the Consulting Engineers of Alberta (CEA), the CAA provides guidance to clients and member firms on defining the scope of work and determining appropriate fees for services. READ MORE...
HONORARIA
The CAA recommends that all projects, regardless of client type or size, offer appropriate honoraria for any professional design consulting services required during the procurement process, allowing design teams to recover costs and equitably compensate for potential fee risks.
NEW WEST PARTNERSHIP
TRADE AGREEMENT
(NWPTA)
The CAA supports efforts to address unintended consequences of the NWPTA, advocating for changes that would exclude engineering and architectural services from the agreement.
CONSULTANT EVALUATIONS
While debriefing at project close-out can be beneficial, the CAA recommends against using consultant evaluations in the selection process due to their high variability and subjectivity. READ MORE...
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY
INSURANCE
The CAA suggests that the amount of professional liability insurance required by clients should correlate with the project's scale, complexity, and associated risks. READ MORE...
INDUSTRY STANDARD DOCUMENTS
The CAA advocates for the use of industry-standard documentation whenever possible, allowing for supplementary conditions to address unique project particulars.
PUBLIC PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIP (P3S)
Recognizing the appeal of P3s as a financing solution for certain projects, the CAA acknowledges their presence as a delivery model and advocates for best practices in their implementation. READ MORE...
CONSULTANT AS
PRIME CONTRACTOR
CLAUSES
The CAA’s Procurement and Contracts Committee has noted that several public sector clients have included a clause in their consultant agreements assigning prime contractor responsibilities to the Consultant.
DEBRIEFING
PROCESS
The CAA highlights that debriefing processes vary widely across both public and private sectors and advocates for standardized procedures to enhance transparency.
QUALIFICATIONS
BASED
SELECTION (QBS)
The CAA strongly supports Qualifications-Based Selection of consulting services, as it provides clients with optimal experiences and outcomes. READ MORE...
SPECIALTY
CONSULTANTS
Engaging specialty consultants, including those for hazardous materials, geotechnical assessments, and land surveying, is typically outside of the insured scope of practice of our members, and considered the owner's responsibility. READ MORE...
RISK ALLOCATION
The CAA encourages fair and reasonable risk allocation between consultants and clients, referencing RAIC Document 6 as a standard guide. We caution that signing documents with uninsurable clauses could void professional liability insurance coverage, jeopardizing both parties.
NUMBER OF
SHORTLISTED
PROPONENTS
During the procurement phase, the CAA recommends limiting the number of shortlisted firms to a manageable number, typically three to five, to provide a fair and effective selection process. READ MORE...
These position statements reflect the CAA's commitment to promoting best practices and ethical standards within the architectural industry, aiming to enhance collaboration and project outcomes across Alberta.