Intrroduction
 
Smithsonian Directive 410 (SD-410) establishes the requirements and guidelines for the Smithsonian’s review of planning, design, and construction projects. The purpose of this review is to ensure that all construction is of the appropriate quality to:
  • Protect, preserve, conserve and secure the artifacts in the collections in perpetuity;
  • Support the special needs of scientific programs;
  • Preserve the buildings and their historic integrity; and
  • Ensure the safety, health and welfare of Smithsonian visitors and staff.

Smithsonian staff and independent consultants of various disciplines review submissions prepared by Architect/Engineer (A/E) and Design Teams. The Reviewers are concerned with: program, building systems, constructibility, materials, maintenance, historic preservation, energy conservation, security, code compliance, life safety, fire protection, accessibility, aesthetics, cost, and other specialized issues. They provide comments based on their review of the A/E’s work. The A/E, in return, provides written responses to these comments and incorporates the approved decisions into the project design under the direction of the Design Manager (or COTR for the Design Contract). The SD-410 review by the Smithsonian Institution in no way relieves the A/E from compliance with A/E Contract requirements.

The SD-410 process has been automated for utilization on the Internet by Omar Elassal of the Office of Physical Plant (OPP) at (202)-287-2572. Since it is internet-based, the SD-410 process is simplified by eliminating the need to move paper between Reviewers, the Design Manager/COTR and the A/E. Comments can be electronically entered into the system from your web browser. The system automatically assigns a unique tracking number to each comment. Subsequently, all comments from Reviewers and responses from the Design Manager and A/E can then be viewed by everyone. The system has been used successfully on the NMAI project and the Dulles Extension project. The electronic SD-410 system is flexible and well suited to both large and small projects.

This electronic SD-410 system is called eMARC (currently Version 3.0) and is accessible from your web browser. You can use either Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator, but Microsoft Internet Explorer, version 4.0 or above, works best. The "SD-410 Review" section of the OPP website has goof-proof demonstration programs for the eMARC process, on which you can practice entering comments and using the system. Feel free to explore and try it out.