Who interprets and decides matters concerning performance?

• A. The contractor
• B. The owner
• C. The architect upon written request by either the owner or contractor. The response must be provided in writing
• D. A joint committee

Answer: (C)

The Architect serves as the contract administrator and has the authority to interpret and decide matters concerning performance. This role means technical questions about how the work should be carried out, how contract documents are interpreted, and whether performance meets the contract requirements are determined by the Architect, not the owner or contractor alone. The Architect’s decisions must be issued in writing and can be requested by either the owner or the contractor, providing a clear, auditable record of interpretation. While these decisions guide performance, they remain subject to the project’s dispute-resolution procedures if challenged. A joint committee isn’t the standard mechanism in this contract framework, and unilateral interpretation by the owner or contractor isn’t how performance matters are resolved.