1. Hussey Fraser Solicitors
The Adoption of BIM Within the Public Works Contracts (PWC) Suite of Construction Contracts in Ireland
Presented by
Simon Fraser
Hussey Fraser Solicitors

2. PWC suite can be made “BIM Ready” with minor amendments.
Objectives
Provide an overview of the CIC BIM Protocol and how this (or something similar) could be incorporated into the PWC and improve the contractual environment.
Submission:
PWC suite can be made “BIM Ready” with minor amendments.
Could assist in collaborative working in the industry.
Much work has already been done.
There is an opportunity to now move in this direction.

3. Public Works Contracts: Overview
Introduced in 2007 by Department of Finance
Totally new. Not adopted from any other jurisdiction.
Suite of Standard Form Contracts.
Part of Capital Works Management Framework
Purpose “……to bring cost certainty and value for money…..” (GCCC Guidance Notes April 2006)
Transfer of Risk “…….a high level of comprehensive quality information should allow for a high level of risk to be transferred” (GCCC Guidance Notes April 2006)

4. Public Works Contracts: Improvements
Standard suite with standard definitions, layout, etc. “One Stop Shop”.
Include current work practices e.g. programme and site meetings.
Clear and comprehensive.
Include new legislation e.g. Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act 2005, Late Payment Regulations, Industrial Relations Act 1946 to 2004.
Up to date and based on modern project stages and processes.

5. Public Works Contracts: Difficulties
Transfer of risk without the required high level of comprehensive information.
Clauses relating to programme contingency, consents, delay events, compensation events, claims, arbitration, and background information are unfair where poor quality information is provided.
Codifies the tradition adversarial method of working.
Missed opportunity to introduce aspects of partnering, collaboration and co-operation (Clause 4.1 “Duty to Co-operate” does not contain any sanctions on default).
Have not delivered the benefits promised.

6. Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF)
Project Stages: • Appraisal
• Approval in Principle
• Stage 1 Planning Initial
• Stage 2 Planning Developed
• Stage 3 Implementation
• Stage 4 Review
Main Project Processes: • Project Management
• Design Activities (Building)
• Design Activities (Civil Engineering)
• Cost Control Activities
• Risk and Value Management
• Documents for Approval
Award and Execution of Contracts is at the end of Stage 3 implementation.

7. Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF)
CWMF should be reviewed and amended to include BIM.
Help is at hand.
Large body of work already carried out and available for reference.
UK Government Strategy requires collaborative 3D BIM on all its projects by 2016.
UK BIM Task Group (
The British Standards Institution (
Construction Industry Council (

8. BIM Selected Documentation
BSI has published PAS (Publicly Available Specifications) :2013 “Specification for information management for capital / delivery phase of construction projects using building information modelling”.
PAS 91:2013 “Construction Prequalification Questionnaires”.
Employer’s Information Requirements.
Best practice guide for professional indemnity insurance when using BIM information models (CIC / BIM INS First Edition 2013).
CIC (Construction Industry Council) BIM Protocol 1st Edition 2013

9. CIC BIM Protocol
Main Points
Protocol attached to contract agreement. Intended for use with standard form contracts.
Minimum changes necessary to pre-existing contractual arrangements.
Primary objective to enable production of BIM models at defined stages of a project.
Seeks to encourage collaboration with all parties involved in the use, production or delivery of models.
Responsibility is with Employer to put protocols in place.
Sets out duty to produce and deliver models to defined levels of detail.
Protects the IPR subsisting in the information in the models.

10. CIC BIM Protocol
Elements
Model enabling amendment.
8 Clauses: 1. Definitions.
2. Priority of Contract Documents.
3. Obligations of the Employer.
4. Obligations of the Team Member.
5. Electronic Data Exchange.
6. Use of Models.
7. Liability in respect of a Model.
8. Termination.
2 Appendices: 1. Level of Detail and Model Production and Delivery Table (MPDT).
2. Information Requirements (IR).

11. CIC BIM Protocol
Model Enabling Element
Incorporates BIM Protocol into the contractual agreement between the Employer and the Contractor (the Project Team Member) or between the Contractor and Sub-Contractor, etc.

12. CIC BIM Protocol
Clause 1: Definitions (Selected):
1 Information Management Role – ‘management of the processes, protocols and procedures…’
2 Level of Detail – ‘..as specified in Appendix 1…..’
3 Material – ‘....information in any electronic medium prepared by or on behalf of Project Team Member….’
4 Model – ‘....digital representation of part of the physical
and / or functional characteristics of the Project…..’
5 Other Project Team Member – ‘.....any person having responsibilities in relation to delivery and / or use of Models......’
6 Permitted Purpose – ‘….a purpose related to the
Project (or the construction, operation and maintenance
of the Project)…’
7 Project Team Member – ‘….the person appointed by
the Employer pursuant to the Agreement....’

13. CIC BIM Protocol
Clause 2: Priority of Contract Documents
1 Terms of Protocol prevail
Clause 3: Obligations of the Employer
1 Ensure that Protocol is incorporated in all Project Agreements.
2 (a) Information Requirements and MPDT reviewed regularly.
(b) Appointment of Information Manager.

14. CIC BIM Protocol
Clause 4: Obligations of the Project Team Member
Produce the Specified Models (produced by PTM).
Deliver the Specified Models.
Use the Project Team Models (produced by others).
Comply with the Information Requirements.
Arrange to incorporate Protocol into sub-contracts.
Clause 5: Electronic Data Exchange
No liability of Project Team Member for corruption of electronic data after transmission.

15. CIC BIM Protocol
Clause 6: Use of Models
Copyright remains vested in the Project Team Member.
Licence granted by Project Team Member to the Employer.
Licence and Sub-licence granted by Employer in respect of other information.
Licences include rights to grant sub-licences on identical terms to others e.g. sub-contractors.
Licences can be revoked for non-payment.
No right to amend information provided by others.

16. CIC BIM Protocol
Clause 7: Liability in Respect of a Model
No liability in respect of any modification or amendment of the material by others.
Clause 8: Termination
Main clauses continue to apply following termination of agreement.

17. CIC BIM Protocol
Appendix 1: Levels of Detail (LOD) and the Model Production and Delivery Table (MPDT)
Parties may choose any other appropriate format.
LOD definitions (from PAS 1192)
1. Brief
2. Concept
3. Developed Design
4. Production
5. Installation
6. As Constructed
7. In use
Stage definitions: From Strategy to Operation and End of
Life.
For each Model sets out Model Originator, Stage for
Delivery and Level of Detail

18. CIC BIM Protocol
Appendix 2: Information Requirements
Parties may choose another appropriate format.
Sets out name of Information Manager.
Sets out formats, protocols, co-ordinate systems etc.

19. Summary
Does not require major amendments to PWC Suite of Contracts to make them “BIM Ready”.
Current ongoing review of PWC Suite by Government Departments is an opportunity.
Incorporation of BIM into PWC suite (and into the CWMF) could assist collaborative working in construction industry.
Much work has already been done and is available for reference.
Opportunity to improve contracting environment in Ireland for the benefit of all parties.
The time to move in this direction is now.
Thank you