Skip to main content

During the review process

  • Updated

Responding to review comments

How do I respond to review comments and submit my clarifications?

The team member responsible for the pending credit, or the Project Team Administrator, should: 

  1. Make the pending prerequisite or credit editable, or "Attempted", by clicking the status button on the Credits page of the project and selecting "Open to Update". 
  2. Provide the requested clarifications directly within the credit template, and upload any requested documents and provide a narrative outlining the changes. This narrative can be entered into the "special circumstances" text box on the form, or it can be a separate, uploaded document. 
  3. Mark each credit/prerequisite requiring clarification as "Ready for Review" by clicking the gray checkmark on the left side of the Credits page. The checkmark should then turn green. 
  4. Submit the final application for review after all credits/prerequisites are ready for review, by clicking on the blue "Submit for Review" button located on the Credits page. 

Can we have an extension to respond to our preliminary comments or for supplemental (appeal) review?

The 25 business day duration stated in our emails when we return a review to the project team is a suggestion that is intended to encourage project teams to maintain progress. We appreciate your letting us know if you will need more time. Please take the time you need to prepare a thorough response to review comments or to prepare your appeal. Please note, all O+M projects are subject to all performance period criteria, and this information is only relative to clarifications between rounds of review.

How do I submit a supplemental document when there is no upload button on the prerequisite or credit form?

Project teams can select the special circumstances box located at the end of the prerequisite or credit form.

I submitted a credit for the first time in the design final submission. Will I have a chance to respond to clarifications in the construction preliminary submission?

Yes, any credits submitted for the first time during the design final review will receive a second round of review during the construction preliminary review. Please note those credits will not receive a third round of review during the construction final review. Appeals for these credits may be submitted via the construction supplemental (appeal) phase.

Supplemental (appeal) reviews

What is supplemental (appeal) review?

A supplemental review, also known as an appeal review, is an optional, paid opportunity for project teams to request an additional round of review after receiving their design final, construction final, or combined final review results. It is submitted credit by credit and can be used in two ways:

  • Appeal a denied credit - If a credit was not awarded in the final review*, teams may update or clarify their documentation and request that the credit be reviewed again.
  • Submit new credits - Teams may also use the supplemental review to submit credits they did not previously attempt.

During this process, GBCI re-evaluates the denied or newly submitted prerequisites and credits. They will also reconsider any anticipated credits or prerequisites if new or updated information affects the original determination.

* Notes:

  • Credits submitted for the first time during the design final review may be marked as denied. These credits may be re-submitted for a second review during the construction application. A supplemental review is not required for these credits.
  • Credits submitted for the first time during the construction final review receive only one review. If they are denied, teams may then pursue a supplemental review for a second review.

How do I appeal a denied credit or prerequisite or add a new credit for supplemental (appeal) review?

Any denied prerequisites or credits can be appealed either after the design final review, construction final review or combined final review through the supplemental review. 

New credits can also be attempted and submitted through the supplemental review.

Learn more about submitting for supplemental review in LEED Online.

What are simple and complex credits?

Simple and complex credits are considered when submitting supplemental (appeal) reviews for LEED Residential projects. Complex prerequisites and credits are those with a heavy focus on energy and HVAC systems, requiring additional time to review, and thus have a higher review fee than other, "simple" credits.

If a credit is denied only because a prerequisite wasn't met, do I need to submit both for supplemental (appeal) review?

No. Appeal only the base prerequisite (e.g., EA prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance). In your appeal narrative, clearly list any linked credits (e.g. EA credit Optimize Energy Performance and/or EAc Renewable Energy Production) that should be updated if the prerequisite appeal is approved.

In your application (in LEED Online or in Arc):

  1. Make both the prerequisite and the affected credit(s) editable.
  2. Update documentation for the base prerequisite and add a note in the special circumstances section asking the review team to pull the dependent credit(s) into review based on the supplemental review outcome. 
  3. Mark the appealed prerequisite as "Ready for Review", but leave the dependent credit(s) as "Attempted".

Using this process, only the prerequisite will be submitted for review, but both the prerequisite and credit will be updated based on the outcome of the review.

Related articles