These regulations govern federal construction contracting procedures, contract clauses, and dispute resolution.

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

Government-wide procurement regulation governing federal contracting procedures and construction contract clauses.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far

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Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)

Supplement to the FAR used by Department of Defense agencies, including military construction contracting requirements.

https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars

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Federal Engineering Criteria and Specifications

These documents establish engineering design requirements and standardized specifications used by federal agencies.

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Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC)

Engineering design criteria used by the Department of Defense for planning, design, construction, and sustainment of facilities.

https://www.wbdg.org/dod/ufc

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Unified Facilities Guide Specifications (UFGS)

Standardized construction specifications used by Department of Defense agencies and incorporated into many federal construction contracts.

https://www.wbdg.org/ufgs

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Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG)

Central access point for federal facility design guidance, engineering criteria, and specification systems used by multiple federal agencies.

https://www.wbdg.org

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USACE Engineering and Construction Guidance

The following references are frequently used on projects administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

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USACE Publications Library

Engineering manuals, engineering regulations, and technical guidance documents published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

https://www.publications.usace.army.mil

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EM 385-1-1 Safety and Health Requirements Manual

Safety requirements governing many USACE construction projects and contractor operations on Corps-managed job sites.

https://www.publications.usace.army.mil

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USACE Quality Assurance / Three-Phase Inspection System

Guidance related to the Contractor Quality Control / Government Quality Assurance process used on USACE construction projects.

https://www.wbdg.org/ffc/army-coe

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USACE Engineering Manuals (EM)

Engineering Manuals provide technical engineering guidance used by the Corps for design, construction, and project administration.

https://www.publications.usace.army.mil/usace-publications/engineer-manuals/?udt_43544_param_page=3

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Department of Veterans Affairs Design Resources

The Department of Veterans Affairs publishes extensive facility design guidance, engineering manuals, and standard construction details.

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VA Technical Information Library (TIL)

Engineering design manuals, master specifications, facility standards, and technical guidance used on VA construction projects.

https://www.cfm.va.gov/til/

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VA Technical Information Library – Common Reference Pages

This section is intended to provide direct access to commonly used VA design references that are otherwise difficult to locate within the full TIL system.

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Master Construction Specifications (PG-18-1)

Standard Details (PG-18-4)

Design & Construction Procedures (PG-18-3)

Inspection Manuals and Reports

Seismic Design

Design Manuals (PG-18-10) 

Cost Estimating

Commissioning Process

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Federal Facility Design Standards

GSA Facilities Standards (P100)

Design requirements governing federal buildings managed by the General Services Administration.

https://www.gsa.gov/p100

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Construction Safety Regulations

OSHA Construction Standards

Federal safety regulations governing construction activities in the United States.

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926

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Industry Technical Standards

Federal construction specifications frequently reference consensus industry standards governing materials, fabrication, installation, and testing.

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National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Fire protection and life safety standards including NFPA 13, NFPA 70, and NFPA 101.

https://www.nfpa.org

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National Electrical Code (NEC)

Electrical installation standard published as NFPA 70.

https://www.nfpa.org/nec

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ASTM International

Technical standards governing materials, testing procedures, and product performance used throughout the construction industry.

https://www.astm.org

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American Welding Society (AWS)

Welding procedures, welder qualification standards, and structural welding codes including AWS D1.1.

https://www.aws.org

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American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)

Structural steel design, fabrication, and erection standards referenced in structural specifications.

https://www.aisc.org

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American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

Mechanical engineering standards including piping systems and pressure vessel codes.

https://www.asme.org

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International Code Council (ICC)

Model building codes including the International Building Code.

https://www.iccsafe.org

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Specification Organization Systems

Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)

Publishes the MasterFormat system used to organize construction specifications.

https://www.csiresources.org

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Federal Regulatory Reference

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR)

Provides the current text of federal regulations including OSHA and other regulatory requirements affecting construction work.

https://www.ecfr.gov