RB - The definition of some of a Contractor's means and methods (M&M) is often straight forward:
If the Contractor keeps materials, it's part of his M&M. On this project the steel decking remains even though it is used only for forms. That is not M&M. Selection and design of this deck is the Owner's responsibility (more on this on a followup post). If the Contractor had used, say, additional temporary supports as part of the form support, that is M&M.
How the Contractor performs the work is part of M&M. He could pump concrete or use a crew of workers to wheelbarrow concrete into place. (Just an extreme example, the most efficient choice is pretty obvious... but not always.)
Concerning design of the Contractor's M&M:
Always have a prebid meeting, with all bidders present, to go over any factors about the project that the Owner needs for bidders to know.
Always have a preconstruction meeting to discuss with the selected Contractor what he plans to do.
If you want to be certain that a Contractor knows what they are doing, in your spec require submittal of detailed M&M for your review and acceptance before work begins. (NOTE: Acceptance, not approval).
If the project is especially challenging, require that the M&M submittal be signed & sealed by a PE.
If I think of something else, will post again.
My background:
BS in Engineering (Energy Conversion), took the EIT Exam and passed, my senior year.
Never worked for an engineering firm.
Through ROTC in college, six weeks after graduation I'm a 22 year old active duty U.S. Air Force second lieutenant assigned as a "Development Engineer" (as in Research & Development) for aircraft life support equipment at Wright Patterson AFB, "Area B" (formerly known as "Wright Field"), Ohio. Served four years active duty; all of this time counts with my state engineering board toward the four years experience needed to take the 8 hour written PE exam... take it and pass.
Complete active duty and, with my father, formed a highway bridge construction corporation. I ran it as Chief Operating Officer for 6 years. During this time decided to make a DIY transition from mechanical/electrical engineering to civil/structural/geotechnical engineering. Corporation is marginally profitable, so performed an orderly shutdown of the company. Note: We did all our own work, such as pile driving, form / pour concrete, etc. (no subcontractors).
Took job with midsize electric utility (generation - 17 major generating units located at 4 different geographic sites, with smaller units at other locations) as the only civil/structural/geotechnical engineer in that department. Note: Company knew full well that my degree was in ME/EE, in fact, that was a job requirement. Over time, promoted to corporate level Principal Engineer (Civil/Structural/Geotechnical) for the company. Together with my very talented understudy (19 years younger than me), we took on the most difficult technical projects anywhere in the company. Note: You remind me a lot of the understudy. Retired after 21 years.
In the mean time, I remained in the active Air Force Reserve (as an engineer) for 18 more years, retiring with total active plus reserve time of 22 years.
Formed one person LLC to practice engineering for nine years, more as a profitable hobby than a job. Some design work to help homeowners & businesses get out of building code problems, but also teach PE review course, construction management, and technical editing for Professional Publications, Inc. (PPI) books to prepare engineers for the civil / structural PE exam.
Then retired for real. However, six months ago, the Homeowner's Association where my wife and I live asked me to join the Board of Directors (pro bono, of course) to use engineering skills to start resolving the aging infrastructure problems (roads & streets, surface & subsurface storm water drainage, pedestrian bridge rebuild / replacement, etc.) Unretired my PE license and in the thick of things on those projects.
