Contract documents

As projects become more complex, there is a growing desire for enhanced collaboration among participants to improve cooperative working relationships and ensure timely, on-budget project completion with minimal disputes and changes.

Addressing this need, the AIA Contract Documents program introduced two new documents for more collaborative project delivery:

• AIA Document A135™–2024, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Construction Manager as Constructor for Collaborative Project Delivery where the basis of payment is the Cost of the Work Plus a Fee with a Guaranteed Maximum Price
• AIA Document B135™–2024, Standard Form Agreement Between Owner and Architect for Collaborative Project Delivery, Construction Manager as Constructor

These are designed for projects where the owner, construction manager, and architect (along with consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers as needed) work closely throughout preconstruction, design, and construction phases.

While Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) offers a model for such collaboration, these documents provide a less complex alternative for those involved in construction management, incorporating some IPD principles while maintaining standard compensation methods.

The accompanying Guide explains the development process of these documents, the key issues addressed, and how they differ from traditional A133/B133 documents, also suggesting additional considerations for users.