“Brand Name or Equal” Product Specifications
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 112, Issue 1
Abstract
[Or Equal” product specifications are the subject of this paper. A series of legal decisions are comprehensively reviewed to paint an operational framework for using “brand name or equal” specifications. Important issues include: Concept of eqtiality; bidding equals; salient features; commercial availability; interchangeability and compatibility; effect of contracting officer's approval; and substitutes of superior quality. By understanding the specific points captured in this article, designers and contractors can write and interpret product specifications and hence reduce their chances of being involved in serious construction contract disputes.
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References
1.
Meier, H. W., Construction Specification Handbook, 3rd ed., Prentice‐Hall Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983.
2.
Construction Specifications Institute, “Methods of Specifying,” CSI Manual of Practice, Washington, DC, 1975.
3.
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4.
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5.
FPR 1‐7.602‐9.
6.
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8.
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9.
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10.
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11.
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12.
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14.
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15.
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24.
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25.
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27.
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29.
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30.
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31.
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32.
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33.
Appeal of Griffith Company, ASBCA 7277, 62 BCA 3279 (1962).
34.
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35.
Rust Engineering Co. vs United States, 86 Ct. Cl. 461 (1938).
36.
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37.
53 Comp. Gen. 586, 74‐1 CPD, par. 68, 16 GC par. 106.
38.
Jack Stone, Co. vs U.S., 170 Ct. Cl. 281 (1965).
39.
55 Comp. Gen., 393.
40.
Belousofsky vs Board of Education, 148 A.2d 632 (N.J. 1959);
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41.
WRB Corp. vs. U.S., 183 Ct. Cl. 409 (1968), 10 G.C. par. 183.
42.
Fusco‐Amatruda Co., DOTCAB 67‐23, 10 G.C. par. 40, 68‐1 BCA par. 6745;
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43.
Opinion B‐205082, January 29, 1982, 82‐1 CPD 69.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 112 • Issue 1 • March 1986
Pages: 1 - 13
Copyright
Copyright © 1986 ASCE.
History
Published online: Mar 1, 1986
Published in print: Mar 1986
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