Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation (CSI-aligned, paraphrased)
In CSI’s organization of the Project Manual:
Division 01 – General Requirements coordinates administrative and procedural requirements that apply across the technical sections.
One of the standard Division 01 topics is “Alternates”.
In CSI practice:
The Bid Form provides the spaces for bidders to state the prices for each alternate.
The Agreement may list accepted alternates after award.
The technical sections (Divisions 02–49) describe detailed materials and methods, but do not typically define the overall limits or scope of each alternate in one place.
Instead, CSI recommends that the description of each alternate, including its limits and what parts of the Work are added, deleted, or changed, be clearly defined in Division 01 – General Requirements, usually in a section titled “Alternates”. There, the scope of each alternate is described in a way that can be coordinated with and referenced by the technical sections.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
Why the other options are not best per CSI practice:
A. Agreement – The Agreement (Contract for Construction) may list which alternates are accepted once the contract is formed, but it does not typically define in detail the limits of each alternate; it relies on the specifications for those definitions.
B. Bid Form – The Bid Form is where prices for alternates are entered. It may briefly name or reference each alternate, but the detailed definition and limits are in Division 01.
D. Sections in Divisions 02–49 – Technical sections contain the work results and may note how an alternate affects them (e.g., “this finish is used only if Alternate 2 is accepted”), but the primary, consolidated description of what each alternate includes/excludes is in the Division 01 Alternates section.
Key CSI-Related Reference Titles (no links):
CSI Construction Specifications Practice Guide – Division 01 General Requirements and Alternates.
CSI Project Delivery Practice Guide – procurement and alternates sections.
CSI CDT Study Materials – organization of the Project Manual and the role of Division 01.
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