M10-05 · AI + Architecture & Construction Technology

Specification Writing & Procurement

AI + Architecture & Construction Technology →

Technical specifications, product selection, bidding documents, and the procurement workflows that turn design intent into built reality. Covers MasterFormat and CSI specification structure, AI-assisted specification writing and editing, product research and manufacturer evaluation, substitution request review and approval workflows, bid package preparation and contractor selection criteria, and the relationship between specifications, drawings, and contract requirements. Students learn to write the documents that legally define what gets built and how.

30 Hours

8 Learning objectives

Create Bloom's ceiling (?)

5 Competencies

What You'll Be Able To Do

Learning Objectives

Objectives

Depth

Navigate MasterFormat division structure and CSI three-part specification format (General, Products, Execution), understanding how specifications complement drawings in contract documents Understand
Write specification sections following CSI format for common building systems — using proprietary, performance, and descriptive specification methods appropriately Create
Use AI tools to draft, edit, and quality-check specifications — generating initial drafts from product data, checking for internal consistency, and flagging coordination issues with drawings Apply
Conduct product research and manufacturer evaluation — comparing products against specification requirements, verifying compliance documentation, and maintaining approved product lists Analyze
Review substitution requests by evaluating proposed alternatives against original specification requirements for performance, aesthetics, warranty, and cost impact Evaluate
Prepare bid packages with clear scope definitions, bid forms, evaluation criteria, and instructions to bidders that minimize ambiguity and scope gaps Create
Coordinate specifications with BIM model data — ensuring material properties, product selections, and performance requirements are consistent between spec sections and model elements Analyze
Evaluate contractor bids using weighted criteria (price, qualifications, schedule, safety record) and produce a bid comparison matrix with a justified recommendation Evaluate

Levels: Remember · Understand · Apply · Analyze · Evaluate · Create — highest demands most original thinking.

Core Competencies

What You'll Master

Specification Writing

Producing CSI-formatted specification sections using proprietary, performance, and descriptive methods — the documents that legally define what gets built.

Product Research & Evaluation

Conducting systematic product research, comparing alternatives against requirements, verifying compliance, and managing approved product lists.

AI-Assisted Document Production

Using AI tools to draft specifications, check consistency, coordinate with drawings, and accelerate the specification writing workflow.

Procurement & Bidding

Preparing bid packages, defining evaluation criteria, analyzing contractor bids, and producing comparison matrices with justified recommendations.

Spec-BIM Coordination

Ensuring consistency between specification sections and BIM model data — material properties, product selections, and performance requirements across documents.

Portfolio Artifact

What You'll Build

Complete Specification Division Package — A full specification package for a selected MasterFormat division: 3–4 complete specification sections in CSI three-part format, a product research report comparing approved manufacturers with compliance verification, a substitution request review with recommendation, a bid package with scope definition and evaluation criteria, and a coordination checklist cross-referencing specification requirements against drawing details. Demonstrates the ability to produce the contract documents that define construction quality.

Tools You'll Use

Industry Tools, Not Toy Projects

Specpoint

Cloud-based specification management platform for writing, editing, and managing construction specifications with built-in MasterFormat structure.

SpecLink

Intelligent specification system with linked content that automatically coordinates related requirements across specification sections.

Bluebeam Revu

PDF markup tool for reviewing specifications, redlining edits, and coordinating spec content against construction drawings.

BuildingConnected

Preconstruction and bid management platform for distributing bid packages, collecting proposals, and managing the contractor selection process.

PlanHub

Construction bidding platform connecting general contractors with subcontractors for bid distribution, plan room access, and proposal collection.