University of Minnesota (University) Standards and Procedures for Design (Standards) are intended to assist architects, engineers, design professionals, and Design/Build contractors (A/E) in understanding the University's preferences in the development, preservation, rehabilitation, renovation and maintenance of its landscapes and facilities, as well as, to explain the procedures, policies, and basic minimum requirements for materials and products to be included in University construction projects. These Standards are to be used as guidelines and are not to be used verbatim as contract document specifications. The Standards are also intended to provide guidance for University project managers, administration, and support staff.
Standards are included, by reference, in every agreement between the A/E and the University of Minnesota, for professional services. Therefore, by contract any and all legal responsibility for project contract document preparation resides solely with the design professional of record.
It is also understood that the basic minimum requirements described within these Standards are in addition to applicable public health, safety and welfare codes and requirements. No attempt has been made to repeat code requirements throughout the Divisions. Where there is no specific recommendation or requirement, the A/E shall exercise their professional judgment. Documents which do not adhere to University Standards will be rejected and returned to the A/E for appropriate revisions.
Each division of the Standards contains guidelines that establish the quality of materials and work appropriate for University projects. Divisions 0 through 48 numbers and titles are identical to the numbers and titles contained in the MasterFormat® 2011 Update publication available for purchase from the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada (CSC). Guideline information provided in each Division of these Standards is to be incorporated into project Contract Documents.
These Standards are intentionally planned to be evolutionary, allowing change as materials and method and/or technologies change. During the contract document preparation phase of the work, Design Consultants are encouraged to present to the University Project Manager alternative recommendations for design solutions and/or manufacturers where there are quality, cost, or time benefits that do not compromise the integrity of the work and achieve the intended goal of the project.