A mechanical engineer specifies that HVAC equipment submittals must include seismic calculations. The equipment supplier states this will add 6 weeks to delivery. What is the contractor's best course of action?
Correct Answer
D) Immediately notify the owner and design team of the impact
The contractor should immediately notify the owner and design team of the schedule impact so they can make informed decisions about how to proceed with the project.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
The contractor must immediately notify the owner and design team of the schedule and potential cost impact. This satisfies the contractor's contractual duty to communicate material changes in schedule, allows the design team to evaluate whether the seismic requirement can be modified or expedited, and preserves the contractor's right to seek a time extension or additional compensation if warranted.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: Find alternative equipment that doesn't require seismic calculations
Finding alternative equipment unilaterally substitutes a specified item without design team approval. Substitutions require an approved submittal process, and an unapproved substitution could result in rejection, rework, and liability.
Option B: Proceed with the delay and absorb the cost impact
Absorbing the delay and cost impact without notifying the owner waives the contractor's right to a time extension and additional compensation. Silence on a known impact can be construed as acceptance of the original schedule and budget.
Option C: Order equipment without seismic calculations to maintain schedule
Ordering equipment without the required seismic calculations violates the contract documents and could result in non-compliant installations, failed inspections, and significant liability — especially in a seismically active region.
Memory Technique
When in doubt on project management questions: COMMUNICATE FIRST. The contractor's job is to flag problems immediately, not solve them unilaterally. Think 'notify → evaluate → decide' as the sequence.
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