Approval Process for Change Order Requests

Code Number: 971

In all public improvement construction projects, there is a possibility that Change Order Requests may be needed. Situations sometimes arise that could not have been foreseen during planning. Change Order Requests may be initiated by the contractor, the Architect, an Engineer, or the District. Some Change Order Requests may result in delays or appreciable additional costs to the project. Decisions on such requests may be needed to forestall future problems. Sometimes savings can be achieved by combining tasks and/or modifying specifications. In order to be prepared for these contingencies, the Board sets forth the following parameters for change orders on previously approved public improvement projects.

Non-Emergency Change Orders are change orders that do not appreciably delay ongoing construction. The approval process for Non-Emergency Change Orders is as follows:

  • Non-Emergency Change Order Requests less than $30,000 shall be approved by the Architect or Engineer, Construction Project Manager (Operations Director/Liaison), and the Superintendent.
  • Non-Emergency Change Order Requests greater than $30,000 but less than $75,000 shall be approved by the Architect or Engineer, Construction Project Manager (Operations Director/Liaison) the Superintendent, and the Finance and Facilities Committee.
  • Non-Emergency Change Order Requests greater than $75,000 must be approved by the Architect or Engineer, Construction Project Manager (Operations Director/Liaison) the Superintendent, the Finance and Facilities Committee, and the Board.

Emergency Change Orders are change orders that are required in order to avoid appreciable delays in the project. The approval process for Emergency Change Orders is as follows:

Emergency Change Order Requests less than $30,000

  • The Architect or Engineer will discuss the proposed Emergency Change Order Request with the Construction Project Manager (Operations Director/Liaison). The Architect or Engineer will then decide whether to recommend the change order or to modify it with the approval of the Construction Project Manager (Operations Director/Liaison) and the Superintendent. The Superintendent will inform the Board and then may give final approval for Emergency Change Order Requests where the sum of items does not exceed $30,000.

Emergency Change Order Requests greater than $30,000 but less than $75,000

  • The Architect or Engineer will discuss the proposed Emergency Change Order Request with the Construction Project Manager (Operations Director/Liaison), the Superintendent, who will then be required to poll individual board members before proceeding with the proposed Emergency change order request. The Superintendent will try and obtain authorization within two working days. Upon preliminary approval through the polling of the board, the Superintendent may authorize the Construction Project Manager (Operations Director/Liaison) in charge of the project to proceed with the Emergency Change Order Request.

Emergency Change Order Requests greater than $75,000

  • Requires approval of the Architect or Engineer, Construction Project Manager (Operations Director/Liaison), Superintendent, Finance and Facilities Committee, and Board of Directors.

In the event a change order exceeds the Project bid price, the Architect or Engineer, Construction Project Manager (Operations Director/Liaison), Superintendent, Finance and Facilities Committee and Board must approve exceeding the bid amount.

  • Change orders may not exceed 20% of the bid price of the project.

The Board may suspend its rules pertaining to information/action if, in its judgment, the delay jeopardizes project completion or economies.


First Adoption:
2000-02-08
Revision Adoption:
December 14, 2009/ June 10, 2013/ June 25, 2018
Reviewed Dates:
May 21, 2018
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code ยงยง26, 279.8

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