CMa Is the Delivery Method Where the Owner Bears Construction Risk
In a Construction Manager as Agent (CMa) arrangement, the Construction Manager acts as the owner's advisor and representative throughout the project - but takes on no construction risk. Unlike the CMr (at-risk) model, the CMa does not hold any trade contracts and does not guarantee the project cost. Every trade contractor contracts directly with the owner. The CMa provides management expertise, coordination, and scheduling services as an agent of the owner.
Understanding the distinction between CMa and CMr is one of the most commonly tested concepts in the delivery methods section of PcM. The key differentiator is risk: who holds the contracts with trade contractors, and who bears the cost risk if the project exceeds budget.
How CMa Works
The owner retains both an architect (for design) and a CMa (for construction management) as separate consultants. The CMa is brought on early - often during programming or schematic design - to provide cost estimating, scheduling, and constructability review during the design phases. This early involvement is a major benefit of both CMa and CMr models compared to DBB.
When construction begins, the owner directly awards contracts to multiple trade contractors. The CMa coordinates their work, manages the schedule, and acts as the owner's representative on site. There is no general contractor. The architect continues to provide design intent interpretation and submittal review - but the CMa handles the day-to-day coordination between trades.
Who Holds the Contracts?
| Party | CMa | CMr | DBB (with GC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner holds trade contracts? | Yes | No | No |
| CM holds trade contracts? | No | Yes | N/A |
| GMP provided by CM? | No | Yes | N/A |
| CM's liability for cost overruns? | No | Yes | N/A |
AIA Documents for CMa Projects
The CMa model uses a specific set of AIA documents. The C132 governs the Owner-Construction Manager as Adviser agreement. The B132 governs the Owner-Architect agreement when a CMa is involved - it is different from the standard B101 because the architect's CA services are modified to account for the CMa's coordination role. Separate A132 agreements are used between the owner and each trade contractor.
The Architect's Role in a CMa Project
The architect still provides design services and construction administration - but certain CA functions shift to the CMa. The CMa typically manages the submittal review log and RFI tracking, while the architect reviews submittals for conformance with design intent. Both the architect and CMa review pay applications, but their roles are defined separately. On the exam, be clear that the architect retains design authority and the CMa manages construction logistics.
When Owners Choose CMa
- Complex projects with many specialty trade packages that benefit from expert coordination
- Public owners who are legally required to bid trade packages separately
- Projects where the owner wants to maintain direct relationships with all trade contractors
- Situations where the owner has internal staff to absorb some contract administration burden
Key Exam Points
- CMa = agent of the owner; no construction risk and no trade contracts.
- CMa fee is typically a management fee (not a GMP).
- The AIA C132 governs the Owner-CMa relationship.
- Architect in a CMa project uses AIA B132, not B101.
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