(a) No Restriction of Competition. When reference is made in the Contract Documents to trade names, brand names, or to the names of manufacturers, such references are made solely to indicate that products of that description may be furnished and are not intended to restrict competitive bidding. If it is desired to use products of trade or brand names or of manufacturers’ names that are different from those mentioned in the Bidding Documents, application for the approval of the use of such products must reach the hands of the Design Professional at least ten days prior to the date set for the opening of bids (see 9(b) below). This provision applies only to the party making a submittal prior to bid. If approved by Design Professional, the Design Professional will issue an addendum to all bidders. This provision does not prevent the Owner from initiating the addition of trade names, brand names, or names of manufacturers by addendum prior to bid. (b) Request for Approval of Substitute Product. All requests for approval of substitution of a product that is not listed in the Bidding Documents must be made to the Design Professional in writing. For the Design Professional to prepare an addendum properly, an application for approval of a substitute product must be accompanied by a copy of the published recommendations of the manufacturer for the installation of the product together with a complete schedule of changes in the drawings and specifications, if any, that must be made in other work in order to permit the use and installation of the proposed product in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer of the product. The application to the Design Professional for approval of a proposed substitute product must be accompanied by a schedule setting forth in which respects the materials or equipment submitted for consideration differ from the materials or equipment designated in the Bidding Documents.
