Some examples of the significant changes suggested by ACIL include:

1. Provide terms and terminology related to Geotechnical Consultants and their
   functions on a construction project.
2. Provide additional clarification of the Geotechnical Consultants’ responsibilities from
   that of the Constructor.
3. Provide additional guidance on reports and the use of the data they contain, as well
   as an inclusion for misuse of these documents.
4. Provide clarification or replacement of certain terms used in some of the articles that
   were more favorable to the Constructor, to terms that are mutually beneficial.
5. Added terms for clarification during the contract negations (i.e., Hidden Conditions,
   Workplace Hazards, other safety items specific to laboratories, etc.) rather than after
   a Geotechnical Consultant arrives on site.
6. Provide a means of collecting on invoices when there is non-payment

"This latest guidebook is just another example of the dedication of ACIL members in providing vital assistance for the benefit of all independent testing laboratories,” says Richard Bright, CEO of ACIL. Through guidebooks such as these, ACIL hopes to strengthen the resources available to testing labs and others within the industry. Brian Perlberg, Executive Director of the ConsensusDocs Coalition, commented that having professional trade organizations like ACIL participate in this way not only provides a helpful service to the industry, but developing these guidebooks also assists ConsensusDocs in updating individual contracts.

Together, ACIL and ConsensusDocs hope to give Geotechnical Consultants the documentation tools they need to navigate this ever-changing landscape successfully. ConsensusDocs offers the ConsensusDocs 746 Standard Agreement Between Constructor and Geotechnical Consultant. This is an important industry standard document that American Council of Independent Laboratories (ACIL) members can use on projects. This guidebook is the second in a series published by ACIL, which had previously published a guidebook for using ConsensusDocs 748 - Standard Agreement Between Constructor and Testing Laboratory.  

ConsensusDocs are the only contracts endorsed by 42 leading design and construction industry organizations. With a library of 100+ contract documents addressing all methods of project delivery, ConsensusDocs incorporates fair risk allocation and best practices to represent the project’s best interests. Coalition members represent design professionals, owners, contractors, subcontractors, and sureties (DOCS). For more information, please visit www.consensusdocs.org.