Manual

The University of California (UC) Facilities Manual is a comprehensive system-wide guide that governs how the UC plans, designs, constructs, and operates its physical environment. Across ten campuses, six medical centers, and multiple research facilities and auxiliary sites, the manual ensures consistency, safety, and alignment with UC’s mission of teaching, research, and public service. It provides the framework of policies, procedures, standards, and tools that guide every phase of a facility’s lifecycle—from early planning through long-term operations.

The manual is organized into six volumes, each focused on a key aspect of facilities development and management, design and construction template contracts, resource directories, and a glossary:

Volume 1: University Administration

Outlines the governance structure, delegations of authority, roles, responsibilities, and systemwide oversight mechanisms that guide how UC manages capital projects and facilities planning at both the systemwide and campus levels.

Volume 2: Planning

Covers capital planning processes, project initiation protocols, environmental review, program development, budgeting concepts, and long-range planning requirements that help campuses define project needs and establish scope, cost, and schedule expectations.

Volume 3: Design, Design Documents, Instruction, Models

Provides standards and guidelines for architectural and engineering design, including technical performance criteria, sustainability requirements, accessibility standards, seismic safety expectations, and design process workflows.

Volume 4: Construction Contracting

Contains UC’s standardized construction contract templates and professional services agreements. This volume establishes consistent terms, risk allocation, procurement rules, and regulations for contracting with builders, architects, engineers, and consultants.

Volume 5: Bidding and Construction Administration

Details the procedures for construction procurement, bidding, contractor selection, construction oversight, quality assurance, inspection and testing, and project closeout. It ensures uniform and compliant administration of construction across UC campuses.

Volume 6: Plant Operations and Maintenance

Addresses the long-term stewardship of UC’s built environment, including preventive maintenance standards, operational best practices, building system performance requirements, asset management, and lifecycle planning.

Design and Construction Contract Templates, Resource Directory, and Glossary

Complimenting the six volumes are Design Contract templates, Construction Contract Templates, a Glossary, and a comprehensive Resource Directory, which consolidates forms, checklists, supplemental guides, reference documents, and external regulatory links commonly used by UC project teams and campus facilities staff.

This entire body of content is presented through a website, where the files, numbering system, and links provide clarity, consistency, and ease of use. UCOP encourages users to report any broken links, inaccuracies, or issues they encounter, allowing for prompt improvements. Please report issues to: facilitiesmanual@ucop.edu 

Together, the six volumes, Construction Contract Templates, Design Contract Templates, Resource Directory, and Glossary form a cohesive, forward-looking framework that enables the University of California to plan, create, and maintain facilities that are safe, sustainable, resilient, and supportive of the university’s long-term mission.