AGENDA MARCH 9, 2011 5:00 PM 1. Meeting called to order 2. A ...

SECTION 13. SPECIFICATIONS13.1 GeneralThe purpose of a specification is to serve as a basis for obtaining a supply or service adequateand suitable for the Authority’s needs. This should be done in a cost effective manner, takinginto account the total cost of ownership and operation, as well as the initial acquisition cost. It isthe policy of the Authority that specifications permit maximum practicable competitionconsistent with its purpose. Specifications should be drafted with the objective of clearlydescribing the Authority’s requirements.13.2 Types of SpecificationsSpecifications take many forms, some of which are more complex than others. The types ofspecifications are:A. PerformanceB. DesignC. Combination of Performance and DesignD. Brand Name or Approved EqualE. Qualified Products List (QPL)F. StandardPerformance Specification: this type of specification is where the goods and/or services aredescribed in terms of required performance. They may include such details as required power,strength of material, test methods, and standards of acceptability and recommended practices.Design Specification: this is a detailed description of a good and/or service, including suchthings as details of construction or production, dimensions, chemical composition, physicalproperties, materials, ingredients, and all other details needed for the vendor to produce an itemof minimum acceptability. Design specifications are usually required for construction projectsand custom produced items and for many services.Combination of Performance and Design: contains elements of both design and performancespecifications. Some features of each are included to allow a vendor to use ingenuity to meet theperformance needs of the Authority and also to require certain necessary design characteristics.This is likely the most common type of specification.42|Page