SURVEY. At Columbia University during my masters program in civil engineering, I wrote a 30-question survey that I sent to contractors and facilities owners. I asked them about contract language that addresses subsurface soil conditions, delay damages, liquidated damages and contract changes. I based many of my questions on clauses taken directly from the "general conditions" contract of NYC Transits parent organization, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, as well as on model contracts from groups such as the American Institute of Architects.
Of the 512 surveys that I sent last year, I received complete replies to about 20%, statistically a good response for a direct mail survey. Nearly all of the responses came from industry leaderscompany presidents, principals and partners of general and subcontracting firms, construction managers, engineering firms, developers and public agencies nationwide.