“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.
Rosen, H. J., Construction Specification Writing: Principles and Practices, 2nd ed., John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, NY, 1981.
4.
Ibbs, C. William, Jr., “Product Specification Practices and Problems,” ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, Vol. 111, No. 2, June 1985, pp. 157–172.
5.
FPR 1‐7.602‐9.
6.
OMB Circular A‐102, Attachment 0, Section 6, “Grantor Review of Proposed Contracts,” 44 Fed. Reg. 47875.
7.
Le Chase Construction Corporation vs Rochester, 346 N.Y.S., 2nd 20 (1972).
8.
Monaghan vs Indianapolis, 76 N.E. 424 (Ind. 1905).
9.
Hobart vs Detroit, 17 Michigan 246, 97 Am. Dec. 185 (1868) and annotation; see generally 77 A.L.R. 702; McQuillan, “Municipal Corporations” 19.49.
10.
Appeal of Gardner Construction Company, DOTCAB 71‐13, 71‐2 BCA 9096 (1971).
11.
Appeal of Hedreen Company, GSBCA 4059, 75‐2 BCA 11516 (1975).
12.
Appeal of Blake Construction Company, Inc., GSBCA 3590, 73‐1 BCA 8917 (1972).
13.
38 Comp. Gen. 345 (1958).
14.
45 Comp. Gen. 645 (1966).
15.
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16.
Opinion B‐199551, March 18, 1981, 81‐1 CPD 207.
17.
Opinion B‐203119, February 3, 1982, 82‐1 CPD 78.
18.
Unpublished Opinion B‐154766, September 17, 1964.
19.
Unpublished Opinion B‐150436, July 31, 1983.
20.
50 Comp. Gen. 137 (1970).
21.
Unpublished Opinion B‐155406, January 6, 1965, and B‐154573, July 16, 1964.
22.
Appeal of Sovereign Construction Company, Ltd., GSBCA 772, 64 BCA 4252 (1964).
23.
Stone Company Inc. vs United States, 170 Ct. Cl. 281, 344 F.2d 370 (1965).
24.
Appeal of Cleveland Electric Co., VACAB 556, 67‐1 BCA 6293 (1967).
25.
46 Comp. Gen. 395 (1966);
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26.
Appeal of City Electric Inc., ASBCA 11020, 66‐2 BACA 5950 (1966).
27.
Unpublished Opinion B‐150952, Ma 13, 1963.
28.
Appeal of General Procelain Enameling and Manufacturing Co., ASBCA 1274 (1953).
29.
Manery Co., Inc., vs United States, 104 Ct. Cl. 594, 62 F. Supp. 953 (1953).
30.
Appeal of Sorrells, Inc., ASBCA 13348, 70‐2 BCA 8515 (1970).
31.
Appeal of Comb Co., ASBCA 13360, 69‐2 BCA 7860 (1969).
32.
Appeal of Roscoe‐Ajax Construction Co., GSBCA 864, 66‐1 BCA 5564 (1966).
33.
Appeal of Griffith Company, ASBCA 7277, 62 BCA 3279 (1962).
34.
Appeal of Ramsley Silk and Woolens, Ltd., ASBCA 10035, 65‐2 BCA 5107 (1965);
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35.
Rust Engineering Co. vs United States, 86 Ct. Cl. 461 (1938).
36.
George Hyman Co. vs United States, 177 Ct. Cl. 313 (1966);
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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);
Comp. Gen. Dec. B‐153531 (20 March 1964);
and Comp. Gen. Dec. B‐184970 (13 April 1976).
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;
and M.S.I. Corp., IBCA 554‐4‐66, 11 G.C. par. 176, 68‐1 BCA par. 6983.
43.
Opinion B‐205082, January 29, 1982, 82‐1 CPD 69.
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Copyright © 1986 ASCE.
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Published online: Mar 1, 1986
Published in print: Mar 1986
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