WASHINGTON — The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) have announced a marketing partnership agreement, designed to foster a greater understanding and exchange of ideas between architects and contractors in the construction community.

“We see this as the beginning of a larger, long-term partnership between the AIA and ABC,” said Clark Manus, AIA president. “For more than 100 years, the AIA has been committed to promoting greater industry collaboration among architects, owners, and contractors, and this partnership is a natural extension of this work. ABC’s decision to partner with the AIA speaks volumes about the fair and balanced nature of AIA documents and their universal acceptance in the industry.”

“We believe this partnership will provide value to ABC members by giving them access to more resources to help them win work and deliver that work safely and productively,” said Mike Bellaman, ABC president and CEO. “This partnership will allow for a healthy exchange of best practices and enhance relationships between architects and contractors, as well as bring more value to the industry.”

AIA offers more than 100 documents including contractor/subcontractor agreements and forms; owner/contractor agreements; application and certificate for payment; and change order forms. AIA Contract Documents are revised as necessary in order to remain current with trends and changes in the industry and law, and to balance the interests of all parties. AIA solicits counsel from more than a dozen industry groups when creating or updating documents, including Associated Builders and Contractors, which, under the partnership, will have increased involvement with the AIA Contract Documents program.

As part of the partnership, AIA will provide a number of benefits to ABC members, including a discount on the purchase of any retail-priced AIA Contract Document software license and access to AIA Contract Documents education programs.

For more information on AIA Contract Documents, click here.

For more information on ABC, visit www.abc.org.

Publication date: 12/12/2011