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      Tier III Project Set-Up Guide for General Contractors

      In this guide, we will give you the tools to help get your Tier III Clearstory project set up with your Subcontractors.

      Table of contents

      1. Tier III Project Requirements
      2. Instructions to Bidders & Subcontract verbiage
      3. Email Introduction to Subs Template

      1. Tier III Project Requirements

      A Tier III Clearstory project in Clearstory has the following requirements for Subcontractors:

      1. Require all Subcontractors to use Clearstory's standard COR coversheet and attach a backup copy of their COR documentation.
        1. Before creating a COR have your subcontractors download and fill out our labor rates import sheet. This way all project CORs will be created using the approved rates in our system.
      2. Require all Subcontractors to use the Clearstory web and mobile app to create any project Time and Material Tags. 

      By doing this, you as the GC will have consistent documentation across all Subcontractors ensuring all T&M Tags and CORs are broken down by labor, material and equipment drastically improving the review time. Each T&M Tag and COR will be logged in Clearstory's digital COR and T&M Log so you know your cost exposure at a glance in real-time.

      2. Include Clearstory in your Instructions to Bidders and Subcontracts

      Once Subcontractors understand how Clearstory benefits them they usually jump on board quickly.  However, it’s important to include contractual language in your sub-contracts so you can ensure Clearstory will always be up-to-date with all CORs and T&M Tags, providing you a complete view of your project's financial exposure. 

      We recommend putting the ‘Example language’ in two locations:

      *Please note this is not legal advice and you should consult your team before using.

        • Instructions to Bidders: Before the job is bid you can insert this language giving the Subcontractors a heads up that Clearstory will be required.
        • Subcontracts: Once a contract is awarded, carry this same language into the executed contract.

      Example ITB & Subcontract Example Language:

      "This project is a Tier III Clearstory project which requires the following:

      1) For a project Change Order Request (COR) to be valid it must include the Clearstory COR coversheet with a breakdown of labor, material and equipment.

      2) No paper Time and Material Tags will be signed or acknowledged. For a Time & Material Tag to be valid, you must download the Clearstory mobile app or use the web application to create a digital Time and Material Tag.

      Clearstory.com is a change order communication platform designed to help Subcontractors, General Contractors and Owners create, track, and share Change Order Requests and Time and Material Tags. You will receive an invite for [Insert Project Name] from [Company Name] via Clearstory. Do not create your own separate project in Clearstory. Further instruction will follow once the project is kicked off."

        3. Email introduction to Subcontractors

        We highly recommend sending an email introduction to your Subcontractors, prior to sending invites through the system. An introductory email will help explain what Clearstory is and most importantly why you are using it. Once Subcontractors understand the value to them, it makes subcontractor adoption much easier.

        *Important: Make sure you update the sections that are noted with [] with your specific project details. 

        Tier III Email Example:

        Email Subject: [Insert Projects Name] Change Order and T&M Tag Submission and Review

        All,

        In an effort to better track, review, and process your Change Order Requests and Time & Material Tags, we will be requiring a software solution called Clearstory. Clearstory.com is a cloud-based platform that acts as a digital Change Order log shared between our companies. We will be requiring the following two things done in the software:

        1) Any COR on this project must have the Clearstory COR coversheet filled out with a breakdown of labor, material and equipment for it to be valid. You can attach your own backup documentation directly in the software easily creating a PDF package. To learn more to do this, visit the below link. Change Order Requests sent via email and not in Clearstory will not be reviewed.

        https://knowledge.clearstory.com/how-to-create-a-cor-in-clearstory

        2) Any Time and Material Tag for this project must be created using Clearstory web or mobile application. This allows us to instantly track the exposure from T&M work and collect signatures touch-free. To learn more, visit the below link.

        https://knowledge.clearstory.com/create-a-time-and-material-tag

        This will help create better transparency between [Our Firm] and each of your companies so we know at all times what CORs and Tags have been approved, rejected, or are still in review.

        Next steps:

        1. Someone from each of your teams will receive an invite from Clearstory to join [Insert Project Name] and give you instructions on how to quickly sign up. Whether you are an existing Clearstory user or new to the software, please do not create the project on your own as the invite to the project will be coming from our team.

        2. Uploading a Change Order Request is free and easy. If you have questions, check out this guide here. 

        https://knowledge.clearstory.com/upload-a-change-order-request

        3. If you want help setting up your account, check out this guide here. https://knowledge.clearstory.com/knowledge/subcontractor-quick-start-guide

         

        Next Steps:

        To finish the setup, navigate back to the General Contractor Playbook.