What is an Action Submittal?

• A. Submittals requiring a responsive action by the A/E, normally review and approval; Product Data, Shop Drawings, and Samples.
• B. Submittals not requiring any action.
• C. A schedule showing the project timeline.
• D. A final warranty document.

Answer: (A)

Action submittals are submittals that require a response from the design professional—usually a formal review and approval—before the work proceeds. They are the means by which the contractor demonstrates that proposed materials, equipment, or methods conform to the contract documents, and the architect/engineer must review and either approve, approve with comments, or reject them. Examples commonly cited are Product Data, Shop Drawings, and Samples because each provides information that the design team must evaluate against the design intent and specifications.

Informational submittals, by contrast, do not require a formal decision; they are provided for information or record-keeping rather than to obtain a directive from the architect/engineer. A project schedule or a final warranty document typically falls into that informational category rather than requiring ongoing design action. Thus, the definition that emphasizes submittals requiring a responsive action by the A/E (review and approval) with those specific examples is the best fit for what an Action Submittal is.