We represented an architecture firm to negotiate an AIA Document B104–2017, Abbreviated Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect for a city-owned public works project. This project, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) – a federal economic stimulus bill passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic – required contract execution by a tight year-end deadline. The public nature of this project and the ARPA funding, with its associated deadlines, presented a complex negotiation environment. Because the public owner could not vary its prescribed governmental contract form and ways essential to our architect client, we prepared a custom rider which clarified key terms and protected our client, allowing it to sign the contract, while facilitating prompt project commencement.
