Clear communication with bidders and consultants through specific language is critical in the development of a successful LEED™ project. The following sample language has been used on various City of Seattle LEED™ projects. Feel free to cut and paste from the samples, and modify the language to suit the unique needs of your project.
- Sample Project Description
- Sample RFQ Language
- Sample RFP Language
- Sample Consultant Services Contract Language
Sample Project Description
(from Seattle's Park 90-5 Renovations and Alterations: Request for Letters of Interest and Statements of Qualifications)
...Renovations and alterations to [PROJECT NAME] shall conform to the City of Seattle Sustainable Building Policy. The work shall integrate building materials and methods that promote environmental quality, economic vitality, and social benefit through the construction and operation of the built environment. The resulting project shall meet at a minimum the LEED™ Silver rating, with higher rating levels encouraged. The intent of the project is to create a great built environment, providing the highest level possible of operational efficiency, as well as comfort and support for building tenants and visitors.
Sample RFQ Language
(from Seattle's Park 90-5 Renovations and Alterations: Request for Letters of Interest and Statements of Qualifications)
1. Sample Consultant Requirements
The team must have embedded in their firms a philosophy, design approach, and demonstrated practice of "Sustainable Development," seeking to enhance both the environmental quality, and long-term operational efficiency of their design products.
2. Sample Consultant Selection Criterion
Demonstrated ability to provide creative and sustainable design, and ease of maintenance within strict budget limitations (20% of total points, with LEED™ certification counting for 10% overall).
Sample RFP Proposal Requirements Language
(from the Seattle Public Utilities Cedar River Treatment Facility)
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION and OPERATIONS
Sustainable building integrates building materials and methods that promote environmental quality, economic vitality, and social benefit through the design, construction and operation of the built environment. Sustainable design, construction and operations merges sound, environmentally responsible practices into one discipline that looks at the environmental, economic and social effects of a building or built project as a whole. These sustainable aspects of the development process encompass the following broad topics: efficient management of energy and water resources, management of material resources and waste, protection of environmental quality, protection of health and indoor environmental quality, reinforcement of natural systems, and integrating the design approach.
For best results, sustainability should be clearly articulated as a guiding principle for project development, and incorporated into the project from the earliest stages. Sustainable design principles affect all phases of project development, from design, construction, operations and maintenance, and demolition and disposal. The Proposal shall describe the proposed approach to Sustainable Design and Construction. This approach shall meet or exceed all objectives of the City of Seattle's Sustainable Building policy. At a minimum, the proposal shall describe:
1. The approach to design integration for meeting objectives outlined in the project approach to Sustainable Design, Construction and Operations
Sustainability should be integrated into all phases of the design process, using an approach which balances social, economic, and environmental factors. Sustainability should be incorporated into the earliest design discussions with a sustainable design charrette to kick-off the project to insure that all design and construction team members are familiar with sustainability concepts and basic sustainable building practice. The charrette can be utilized as a group process to define and refine sustainable goals and priorities to aid in the design optimization process. Throughout the sustainable design process, collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams should explore opportunities to design integratively and serve multiple functions with individual design elements.
2. The approach to Life Cycle Cost Analysis for optimization of design features
This portion of design analysis should entail an inclusive approach to costing that encompasses planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance costs and finally any decommissioning or disassembly costs. Life Cycle Cost Analysis assesses issues, options, and tradeoffs related over the projected useful life of a project and looks at the net present value of design options as investments. The goal is to achieve the highest environmental performance possible at the least cost. In addition, the design team should conduct facility performance modeling in order to investigate the interrelationships of economic and environmental performance of various facility systems. Performance modeling should define the boundaries of differing design scenarios to investigate trade-offs and optimize performance.
3. The rating which the facility will obtain utilizing the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Rating System™
LEED™ stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is a voluntary, consensus-based, market-driven green building rating system. It is based on existing, proven technology and evaluates environmental performance from a "whole building" perspective. LEED™ is a self-certifying system designed for rating new and existing commercial, institutional, and multi-family residential buildings. It contains prerequisites and credits in five categories: Sustainable Site Planning, Improving Energy Efficiency, Conserving Materials and Resources, Embracing Indoor Environmental Quality, and Safeguarding Water. There are four rating levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
4. The approach to protection of water resources
Water conserving methods should be considered in all aspects of the facility design, including indoor and outdoor water use. Designers should develop water budgets for the facility, and consider innovative water technologies. Potable water use should be minimized within the facility by appropriately sizing systems and using water efficient technologies and cascading water use systems. Alternative systems which harvest on-site flows should be considered. Site water flows should be maintained by minimizing erosion, encouraging infiltration, and utilizing innovative stormwater management techniques. Water quality should be protected by avoiding the use of toxic materials on the site during development and for future maintenance. Low impact landscaping and future Integrated Pest Management strategies should be implemented in order to protect water quality.
5. The approach to minimization of power usage during all project phases
Energy efficiency methods should be considered in all aspects of the facility design, including HVAC/Lighting needs. Energy efficiency strategies should maximize solar access and aim to harvest natural on-site energy resources such as daylight and geothermal heat. Alternative energy sources, such as fuel cells and alternative fuel generations, should be considered. Building energy usage should reduce electricity consumption, eliminate unnecessary demand, and emphasize equipment efficiency and energy efficient control strategies.
6. The approach to management of material resources, including minimization of construction waste
The facility should be designed for adaptability and minimize material use with efficient planning and design detailing, engineered materials, and modular design. Design should be low maintenance and specify durable materials. Crime and graffiti prevention should be considered. Sustainable materials that minimize environmental impact as well as re-used, salvaged materials and recycled content materials should be used. In addition, use materials with minimal packaging waste that is recyclable, and materials that are easily recycled once their useful life has ended. Waste reduction and recycling should be encouraged by recycling construction demolition and waste with a jobsite management plan, and with provision of easy access recycling stations and pick-up areas.
7. The approach to protection of indoor and outdoor environmental quality, and minimization of chemical usage during all project phases
The design of the facility should aim to reduce pollutant sources in both interior and exterior environments. For interior spaces, this affects the design of mechanical systems and the choice of interior materials, finishes, and adhesives. Ozone depleting chemicals in mechanical equipment and insulation should be avoided. The health of building occupants and construction workers/installers/maintenance staff should be protected. In addition, environmental protection of the site should be considered, including habitat protection and environmental restoration. Environmental disturbance should be minimized during the construction process.
8. The approach to regional design suitability
The facility design should respond to local climatic and ecological context by incorporating solar patterns, wind patterns, hydrology and geology into design features. A regional design palette should be used for both plants and other materials. The site should be developed using ecological design principles to mimic natural systems function. Benefits of vegetation should be maximized.
Sample Consultant Services Contract Language
(from the Seattle Park 90-5 Police Support Facility)
1. Sample Schematic Design Phase Contract Language
The Consultant shall orchestrate and participate in a Sustainability goal setting charrette. With follow-up review, the result shall be utilized to develop a scheme describing the specific approach and method to accomplish achieving a minimum "Silver" LEED™ rating (with higher ratings sought if possible).
Upon consultation and review by the City, the initial submitted scheme shall be revised and perfected. Based upon comments from the City, the Consultant shall continue to refine the Design Scheme to achieve the Program requirements, to achieve the required LEED™ rating, and meet the probable construction cost budget. This refinement shall continue until a formal Acceptance of a Final Schematic Design by the City. This Phase is complete upon that Acceptance.
2. Sample Design Development Phase Language
The Consultant shall prepare and submit to the City a Developed Design, indicating all building and site component details and their configurations. It shall portray specific fulfillment of Program requirements, of LEED™ rating achievement, and of Code and Regulatory requirements. The Consultant shall also submit a formal detailed construction cost estimate for the Developed Design, which shall not exceed the [insert construction budget amount] Construction Budget.
Upon consultation and review by the City, the initial Developed Design shall be revised and perfected. Based upon comments from the City, the Consultant shall continue to refine the Developed Design to achieve the Program requirements, to achieve the required LEED™ rating, and meet the probable construction cost budget. During this period, the Consultant shall meet and coordinate extensively with representatives of the City to facilitate their decisions on project details and resolution of issues. The refinement of the Developed Design shall continue until a formal Acceptance by the City of a Final Developed Design. This Phase is complete upon that Acceptance.
3. Sample Construction Documents Phase Language
Upon consultation and review by the City, the initial submitted Construction Documents shall be revised and perfected. Based upon comments from the City, the Consultant shall continue to refine the Construction Documents to achieve the Program requirements, to achieve the required LEED™ rating, and meet the probable construction cost budget. During this period, the Consultant shall meet and coordinate extensively with representatives of the City to facilitate their decisions on project details and resolution of issues. The refinement of the Construction Documents shall continue until a formal Acceptance by the City of those Documents. This Phase is complete upon that Acceptance.
4. Sample Building Commissioning Phase Language
The Consultant shall coordinate with and assist the City's Commissioning Consultant in its implementation of the Building Commissioning Plan. That plan shall result in full compliance with the LEED™ standard for full documentation of building commissioning. In particular it will structure and document the full initiation, testing, operational instruction, and record documentation of all building systems.
