Specifications should be supplied to every contractor bidding a big project to ensure that all are bidding the same work. Without specifications, the board will be focusing on the cheapest bid instead of a quality outcome. There is an expression in the contracting business: “The profit is in the change orders.” In other words, bidders will offer a low price to get the contract and then submit change orders/costs to actually get the work done right.

Your manager is not qualified to provide specifications for large and/or complex projects. Independent consultants should be hired to provide the specifications and to do progress inspections on the work to ensure quality.