The SpecsIntact System

SpecsIntact is an automated specifications processing system for preparing certain government facility construction projects worldwide using standard master specifications, called Master-text or MasterA group of standard Government agency (Master) Guide Specifications used in the preparation of a Job, supplied by each of the three government agencies.

SpecsIntact was initially developed in 1963 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and designed for use by engineers, architects, specification writers, project managers, and construction managers.  The Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), and the Air Force Civil Engineer Command (AFCEC) have also adopted SpecsIntact as their standard specifications system, greatly facilitating the effort to standardize construction specifications throughout these agencies.  As of April 2023, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assumed control and management of SpecsIntact. The Masters are marked up in the SpecsIntact application by utilizing a special tagging scheme similar to the one that tells web browsers how to display a web page called Extensible Markup Language (XML)Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a general-purpose markup language. It is classified as an extensible language because it allows users to define their own tags. The primary purpose is to facilitate the sharing of structured data across different information systems, particularly via the Internet. It is a mechanism for defining and tagging elements of information within documents format.

Master Specifications are divided into Divisions containing groups of Sections, and key elements within the Sections are annotated with a SpecsIntact tagging scheme that uses angle brackets as tag delimiters.  This tagging scheme is a descriptive markup system that separates and identifies the logical elements of the SectionA set of files within the Division of a Master or Job that covers specific aspects of construction text.

Before beginning, the SpecsIntact Website offers a variety of tools located on the Help Center page, that will help you learn how to install and use the software to ensure a smooth installation or editing experience, take a look at these helpful tools first!

When you open SpecsIntact, the Explorer screen will display automatically.  From its menus and toolbars, you can create, process, and print your Jobs and Masters.  Editing the Section of your Job and Masters can be accomplished in the SpecsIntact Editor, which features more Windows-standard menus and buttons along with improved functions and automated features.

Compatibility of Jobs and Masters with Software Versions

Jobs and Masters created in previous versions can be edited in the current version of SpecsIntact.  The following limitations based on Master-text still apply:

• Jobs or Masters created with automatic Ordered Lists must be edited in v4.5.3 or newer.
• Jobs or Masters created with Automatic Paragraph NumberingThis feature automatically generates the Subpart Numbers for Numeric and  Alphanumeric Formatted Sections by placing the correct Subpart Numbers between the Subpart  <SPT> and the Title <TTL> tags.  Unlike Traditional Paragraph Numbering, the number within the Subpart Tag and the auto-generated Title number will always match.  This provides the capability to easily switch numbering schemes regardless of the original setup must be edited in v4.5.0 or newer.
• Jobs or Masters containing Formatted Tables must be edited in v4.2.0.821 or newer.
• Jobs or Masters containing the current MasterFormat™MasterFormat is used throughout the construction industry to format specifications for construction contract documents. The purpose of this format is to assist the user to organize information into distinct groups when creating contract documents, and to assist the user searching for specific information in consistent locations. The information contained in MasterFormat is organized in a standardized outline format within 50 Divisions (16 Divisions pre-2004). Each Division is subdivided into a number of Sections 14 character Section names must be edited in v4.2.0.778 or newer.
• Jobs or Masters containing the UFGS six character Section names can be edited in v3.1 or greater, since they are not compatible with any older versions of the software, including v3.0.
• Jobs or Masters with the Unified Submittal DescriptionsA Tri-Services streamlined list of Submittal Descriptions that combines and simplifies Submittal Descriptions into eleven core categories must be edited in v2.9.5 or newer.
• Jobs or Masters with v2.9.4 or older can be edited in subsequent versions of the software, but new Sections containing the Unified Submittal Descriptions or the UFGS six character Section names cannot be added to them.

For detailed information on the SpecsIntact Editor's tagging system read SpecsIntact Tagging Structure.

Technical Support Information

Users are encouraged to visit the SpecsIntact Website's Support & Help Center for access to all of our User Tools, including eLearning (video tutorials), printable Guides, a Knowledge Base containing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Technical Notes and Release Notes, and Web-Based Help.

CONTACT US:
		256.895.5505
		SpecsIntact@usace.army.mil
		SpecsIntact.wbdg.org