The owner is utilizing design/ build firms for the mechanical and electrical systems on this project. The mechanical firm has in-house design, construction, automation and commissioning services. The mechanical firm has a very clear separation of these four functions with separate management over each, so our clarification is to confirm that the mechanical firm can provide commissioning services for this prerequisite (we are NOT asking for EA3, Enhanced Commissioning). Each of these four functions have indepenent managers within the firm who answer directly to the president. The CxA for the mechanical firm will not be the Engineer-of-Record, nor will he have any construction or design responsibilities, other than as required in the CxA role (to review and verify design and construction processes, submittals and installations). His sole role and responsibility will be the proper commissioning of the project such that it meets the Owner\'s Project Requirements, the Basis of Design and the overall intent and expectation of the Owner. Our CxA meets all of the requirements for this prerequisite and has been approved by the Owner and Architect to provide this service. As described in the prerequisite\'s section, our CxA: 1. has experience on multiple projects of similar managerial and technical complexity. 2. will be independent of the design and construction teams as described above. 3. will not have responsibility for design (not the Engineer-of-Record) or for construction. 4. will report his results, findings and recommendations directly to the Owner Is this structure and our selected CxA acceptable to meet the requirement as defined in the prerequisite?
The project team is inquiring if a member of the mechanical design/build firm, who is not associated with the actual design or construction of the project, can be used as the commissioning agent under the requirements of the Fundamental Commissioning prerequisite (EAp1). As noted in the in the prerequisite language and in a document posted on the USGBC website, entitled "Who Can Be the Commissioning Authority" (https://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=1262), the individual serving as the Commissioning Authority may be an employee or subcontractor of the A/E and/or Construction firm(s) provided they have no project responsibilities other than commissioning. As such, the individual described in the above inquiry is acceptable to meet the requirement of the prerequisite. Applicable Internationally.