53000 SF in LEED Boundary

Victor: Please look at Table 2 in EAp1 of the Reference Guild. This is a much more detailed table of required qualifications for who can be the CxA. The EOR can always be the fundamental CxA, but the size determines if they can be an employee WITH design duty (under 50k SF) or a DISINTERESTED employee with no design duties (equal or greater than 50k SF). Of course, enhanced must be a separate subconsultant. Tristen; perhaps the FAQ above should be worded a little different. Here is what I would suggest: “For fundamental commissioning and project area less than 50,000 ft2, the commissioning agent can be an employee of the design or construction firm, even if they are directly doing design or construction management. For fundamental commissioning and project area equal or greater than 50,000 ft2, the commissioning agent can be a disinterested (NO design or management duties) employee of the design or construction firm. For enhanced commissioning the CxA must be independent of both teams. The CxA must be appointed by the Owner. No matter what, the CxA must meet the qualification requirements of the prerequisite and credit.”

Look to Page 221 of the Reference Guide, leading up to Table 2 (on the same page). The very next paragraph after the one you quote explains what it means being “independent of the project’s design and construction teams”. It goes on to say that “The CxA may be a qualified staff member of the owner, an owner’s consultant to the project, or an employee of a firm providing design and/or construction management services. The CxA may not, however, have responsibility for design (e.g., be the engineer of record) or for the construction.” Then it goes on about projects smaller than 50k. We have been the CxA on several large projects where we were also the EOR, but we assigned qualified staff that were not on the design team, and typically were part of our dedicated commissioning team or from another office.

Yes, I agree. The FAQ should be changed, which is what I suggested for Tristan Roberts, who moderates LEEDuser. By the way, it was great to see you again and talk at Greenbuild Tristan!