When To Use
Use B254™ when an architect is acting as a purchasing agent for furniture, furnishings, and equipment, covering vendor selection, procurement coordination, and delivery oversight.
What It Does
B254 establishes an agency relationship that allows the architect to enter into contracts for FF&E on behalf of the owner. B254 places strict limitations on the architect’s power to act as the owner’s agent. Before entering into contracts with vendors, the architect must provide the owner with the description, prices, and quantities of FF&E to be purchased.
In contracts with Vendors, the Architect is also required to include statements:
- indicating that it is acting as the owner’s purchasing agent regarding such contracts
- identifying the owner as the purchaser
- indicating that all warranties and guarantees shall be in the owner’s name.
The Architect must also keep the Owner reasonably informed of FF&E purchased on the Owner's behalf. In exchange, the architect is given the protection of a disclosed agent acting on behalf of a principal, i.e., the architect is not responsible for a vendor’s poor performance and is relieved of the owners’ obligations with regard to vendors.
Additional Information
Not a stand-alone document. Strict limitations apply to the architect's authority to act as the owner's agent.
