I am a CO who has encountered a PM and their office who state that they have to go back to the DOR and have them concur and restamp small non-technical edits to stamped drawings or specifications. These edits are things such as adding to the verbiage in the specs "similar or equivalent" to brand name, editing verbiage that makes it seems as if this is design build (i.e......"design of a clean agent fire extinguishing system” but that what the specs and drawings in had are for and in discussions with the PM's office the intent is to install in accordance with the current design of clean agent XXXXX). None of this alters the fundamental intent or purpose of the current stamped drawings or specifications as accepted by the Government.

In my perspective, these do not account as "errors and omissions" so no need to go back to the DOR for any restamping or concurrence. However, the PM is persistent that they do need to go back or it will violate the Colorado state licensure boards for engineers and architects.

I have found nothing that states this and looking for insight to either yes, we do need to go back to the DOR or that is it not required. Hopefully, some insight or technical or FAR reference to this can be provided to point me in either direction.

@YoungOne If it is required under the licensing laws where the designer of record is licensed, then I’d say have the DOR concur and re-stamp the edited plans or specs.

I was a licensed professional engineer in two states and this would be consistent with those state practices and professional engineering associations’ professional and ethical standard practices.

What you are apparently advocating is to revise stamped design documents without coordinating with the Designer(s) of Record.

Bad Practice.

On 7/23/2025 at 12:06 PM, YoungOne said:

These edits are things such as …editing verbiage that makes it seems as if this is design build (i.e......"design of a clean agent fire extinguishing system”.

This is essentially a limited design build in that the prime construction contractor or its subcontractor through the prime is providing the design and installation of a building fire extinguishing system. This is common practice. Construction contracts contain clauses covering responsibilities and liabilities for contractor furnished designs under the contract.

For example, the Warranty of Construction clause includes warranty for designs furnished under the contract.

DOD and other organizations have standard construction contract clauses regarding government rights to designs furnished under the contract (either unlimited rights or shared rights).

The Spearin Doctrine is a legal principle that applies under Case Law to responsibility for errors and omissions as well as functionality/performance in designs provided, whether by the government or the contractor .