Engineering Construction Specifications

I-Explaining Engineering Construction Specifications.- 1, Construction Contracts.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Proposal Solicitation.- 1.3 Types of Contracts.- A. Fixed Price Contract.- B. Cost Reimbursable Contract.- 1.4 Contractual Relationships.- A. Construction by a Single Prime Contractor.- B. Design-Build Contract.- C. Multiple Prime Contracts.- D. Construction Manager.- 2, Function, Composition, and Arrangement of the Specifications.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Function of the Specifications.- 2.3 Composition of the Specifications.- A. The Bidding Documents.- B. The General Conditions.- C. The Technical Sections.- 2.4 Arrangement of the Specifications.- A. Users of the Specifications.- B. Optimum Arrangement for Users.- 3, The Technical Sections.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 The Technical Section (Five Part Format).- 1. DESCRIPTION.- A. Shop Drawings.- B. Working Drawings.- C. Design Criteria.- D. Warranty.- E. Permits and Notices.- F. Work By Others.- G. Salvage.- 2. MATERIALS.- A. Physical and Chemical Requirements.- B. Samples.- C. Tolerances.- D. Mix Proportions.- E. Tests (Contractor).- F. Fabrication.- G. Certification.- H. Shop Painting.- I. Shipping.- J. Storage on Site.- 3. CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS.- A. Preliminary Preparations.- B. Disposition of Removed Material.- C. Procedures.- D. Allowable Tolerances.- E. Finishes.- F. End Results.- G. Inspections.- H. Tests (Engineer).- 4. METHOD OF MEASUREMENT.- A. Linear Foot.- B. Square Yard.- C. Cubic Yard.- D. Pound.- E. Each.- F. Lump Sum.- 5. BASIS OF PAYMENT.- A. Linear Foot Basis.- B. Area Basis.- C. Volume Basis.- D. Weight Basis.- E. Per Each Basis.- F. Lump Sum Basis.- 3.3 Section Arrangement.- A. Highway Project.- B. Large Bridge Project.- C. Concrete Dam.- 3.4 Sample Technical Section.- 4, The General Conditions of the Contract.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Definitions and Terms.- A. General.- B. Abbreviations.- C. Definitions.- 4.3 Scope of Work.- A. Intent of Contract.- B. Changes.- C. Differing Subsurface Conditions.- D. Variations in Estimated Quantities.- E. Extra Work.- F. Maintenance and Protection of Traffic.- G. Rights In and Use of Materials Found on the Work.- H. Cleaning Up.- I. Value Engineering Proposals by Contractor.- J. Temporary Utility Services.- K. Warranty of Construction.- L. Disposal of Material Outside the Work Site.- 4.4 Control of Work.- A. Introduction.- B. Authority of the Engineer.- C. Construction Manager.- D. Plans and Contractors's Drawings.- E. Conformity with Plans and Specifications.- F. Coordination of Plans and Specifications.- G. Field Record Drawings.- H. Cooperation by Contractor.- I. Cooperation with Utilities.- J. Cooperation Between Contractors.- K. Construction Stakes, Lines, and Grades.- L. Engineer's Field Office.- M. Inspection of the Work.- N. Removal of Unacceptable and Unauthorized Work.- J. Load Restrictions.- P. Maintenance of the Work During Construction.- Q. Failure to Maintain Project.- R. Acceptance of the Work.- S. Claims for Adjustment.- T. Automatically Controlled Equipment.- 4.5 Control of Materials.- A. Introduction.- B. Source of Supply and Quality Requirements.- C. Local Material Sources.- D. Samples, Tests, Cited Specifications.- E. Certification of Compliance.- F. Plant Inspection.- G. Field Laboratory.- H. Foreign Materials.- I. Storage of Materials.- J. Handling Materials.- K. Unacceptable Materials.- L. Owner Furnished Material.- 4.6 Legal Relations and Responsibility to the Public.- A. Introduction.- B. Laws to be Observed.- C. Permits, Licenses, and Taxes.- D. Patented Devices, Materials, and Processes.- E. Restoration of Surfaces Opened by Permit.- F. Federal Aid Participation.- G. Sanitary, Health, and Safety Provisions.- H. Public Convenience and Safety.- I. Railway-Highway Provisions.- J. Construction over, In, or Adjacent to Navigable Waters.- K. Use of Explosives.- L. Protection and Restoration of Property and Landscape.- M. Forest Protection.- N. Responsibility for Damage Claims.- O. Third Party Beneficiary Clause.- P. Possession and Use Prior to Completion.- Q. Contractor's Responsibility for Work.- R. Contractor's Responsibility for Utility Property and Services.- S. Furnishing Right-of-Way.- T. Personal Liability of Public Officials.- U. No Waiver of Legal Rights.- V. Environmental Protection.- W. Minimum Wage Rates.- X. Equal Employment Opportunity.- 4.7 Prosecution and Progress.- A. Introduction.- B. Subletting of Contract.- C. Preconstruction Conference.- D. Notice to Proceed.- E. Prosecution and Progress.- F. Limitation of Operations.- G. Character of Workmen; Methods and Equipment.- H. Progress Photographs.- I. Suspension of Work by Owner.- J. Determination and Extension of Contract Time.- K. Failure to Complete on Time.- L. Default of Contract.- M. Termination of Contract.- N. Disputes.- 4.8 Measurement and Payment.- A. Introduction.- B. Measurement of Quantities.- C. Fixed (Plan) Quantities.- D. Scope of Payment.- E. Compensation for Altered Quantities.- F. Payment for Extra and Force Account Work.- G. Eliminated Items.- H. Progress Payments.- I. Payment for Material on Hand.- J. Lump Sum Breakdown.- K. Payment of Withheld Funds.- L. Acceptance and Final Payment.- AASHTO Sample of General Conditions of the Contract.- 5, The Bidding Documents.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Bidding Requirements and Conditions.- A. Notice to Contractors.- B. Prequalification of Bidders.- C. Contents of Proposal Forms.- D. Issuance of Proposal Form.- E. Examination of Plans, Specifications, Special Provisions, and Site of Work.- F. Interpretation of Quantities in Bid Schedule.- G. Pre-Bid Conference.- H. Preparation of Proposal.- I. Irregular Proposals.- J. Proposal Guaranty.- K. Delivery of Proposals.- L. Withdrawal or Revision of Proposals.- M. Combination or Conditional Proposals.- N. Public Opening of Proposals.- O. Disqualification of Bidders.- P. Material Guaranty.- Q. Non-Collusive Bidding Certification.- R. Escalation Clauses.- 5.3 Award and Execution of Contract.- A. Consideration of Proposals.- B. Award of Contract.- C. Cancellation of Award.- D. Return of Proposal Guaranty.- E. Requirements of Contract Bonds.- F. Execution and Approval of Contract.- G. Failure to Execute Contract.- AASHTO Sample of the Bidding Documents.- 6, Classifications and Types of Specifications.- 6.1 Classification of Specifications.- A. Introduction.- B. Standard Specifications, Supplemental Specifications, and Special Provisions.- C. Master (Guide) Specifications.- D. Outline Specifications.- E. Contract Specifications.- 6.2 Types of Specifications.- A. Introduction.- B. Proprietary Specifications.- C. Descriptive Specifications.- D. Performance Specifications.- E. Descriptive Versus Performance Specifications.- 7, National Reference Standards.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Standards Making Organizations.- 7.3 Presenting Reference Standards in the Specifications.- A. Material Standard.- B. Test Method Standard.- C. Construction Procedure Standard.- 7.4 Building Codes.- A. Standard Building Code.- B. Basic Building Code.- C. Uniform Building Code.- II-Preparing and Presenting Engineering Construction Specifications.- 8, Procedures and Practices in Specification Writing.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Study the Plans.- 8.3 Work Closely With the Designer.- 8.4 Using Standard Specifications.- 8.5 Utilizing Specifications of Previous Contracts.- 8.6 Using Reference Standards.- 8.7 Trade Names and "or Approved Equal".- 8.8 Specifying New Products.- 8.9 Know Your Subject.- 8.10 Disclosure of Known Information.- 8.11 Tolerances.- 8.12 Quality Control and Quality Assurance.- 8.13 Identifying and Controlling Risks.- A. General.- B. Identifying the Risks.- C. Controlling the Risks.- 8.14 Payments and Payment Items.- A. Payments.- B. Payment Items.- 8.15 Limit the Engineer's Involvement in the Work.- 8.16 Methods and Results.- 8.17 Presenting Instructions and Requirements.- 8.18 Multi-Contract Projects.- 9, Specification Language.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Guidelines.- 9.3 Proper Use of Terms.- 9.4 Ambiguous Wording.- 9.5 Vocabulary.- 9.6 Spelling.- 9.7 Abbreviations.- 9.8 Capitalization.- 9.9 Punctuation.- 9.10 Numbers.- 9.11 Symbols.- 10, Specifying the Technical Sections.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 General Guidelines.- A. Disposition of Removed Structures and Materials.- B. Samples.- C. Tests and Testing.- D. Tolerances.- E. Knowledge of Construction Practice.- F. Consistency in Presentation.- G. Specification Preparation Without Benefit of Client's Standard Specifications.- H. Description.- I. Materials.- J. Construction Requirements.- K. Method of Measurement.- L. Basis of Payment.- 10.3 Organizing the Sections.- 10.4 Mobilization.- 10.5 Demolition.- 10.6 Clearing and Grubbing.- 10.7 Earthwork.- A. Classifications and Definitions.- B. Control of Soil Erosion.- C. Excavation.- D. Backfill.- E. Embankment.- F. Measurement and Payment.- 10.8 Underground Pipelines.- A. Introduction.- B. Common Requirements.- C. Common Problems.- D. Storm Drains.- E. Water Mains.- F. Sanitary Sewers.- G. Measurement and Payment.- 10.9 Roadway Pavement.- A. Introduction.- B. Guidelines.- C. Measurement and Payment.- 10.10 Bearing Piles.- A. Introduction.- B. General Guidelines.- C. Test Piles.- D. Load Tests.- E. Timber Piles.- F. Pipe Piles.- G. Shell Piles.- H. Precast (Prestressed) Concrete Piles.- I. Steel Piles.- J. Measurement and Payment.- 10.11 Steel Reinforcement.- A. Introduction.- B. Guidelines.- C. Measurement and Payment.- 10.12 Cast-In-Place Concrete.- A. Introduction.- B. Mix Proportions.- C. Overdesign Factor.- D. Heat of Hydration (Mass Concrete).- E. Concrete Admixtures.- F. Batching Plant and Mixing.- G. Joints.- H. Concrete Finishes.- I. Concrete Curing.- J. Guidelines.- K. Measurement and Payment.- 10.13 Structural Steel.- A. Introduction.- B. Fabrication.- C. Field Erection.- D. Painting.- E. Guidelines.- F. Measurement and Payment.- 10.14 Incidental Construction.- A. Introduction.- B. Manholes, Inlets, and Catch Basins.- C. Dampproofing and Waterproofing.- D. Slope Protection.- E. Curb.- F. Sidewalk.- G. Fencing.- H. Topsoiling and Seeding.- 11, Presenting the General Conditions.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.2 Definitions and Terms.- A. General.- B. Abbreviations.- C. Definitions.- 11.3 Scope of Work.- A. Intent of Contract.- B. Changes.- C. Differing Subsurface Conditions.- D. Variations in Estimated Quantities.- E. Extra Work.- F. Maintenance and Protection of Traffic.- G. Rights In and Use of Materials Found on the Work.- H. Cleaning Up.- I. Value Engineering Proposals By Contractor.- J. Temporary Utility Services.- K. Warranty of Construction.- L. Disposal of Material Outside the Work Site.- 11.4 Control of Work.- A. Introduction.- B. Authority of the Engineer.- C. Construction Manager.- D. Plans and Contractor's Drawings.- E. Conformity With Plans and Specifications.- F. Coordination of Plans and Specifications.- G. Field Record Drawings.- H. Cooperation by Contractor.- I. Cooperation With Utilities.- J. Cooperation Between Contractors.- K. Construction Stakes, Lines, and Grades.- L. Engineer's Field Office.- M. Inspection of the Work.- N. Removal of Unacceptable and Unauthorized Work.- J. Load Restrictions.- P. Maintenance of the Work During Construction.- Q. Failure to Maintain Project.- R. Acceptance of the Work.- S. Claims for Adjustment.- T. Automatically Controlled Equipment.- 11.5 Control of Materials.- A. Introduction.- B. Source of Supply and Quality Requirements.- C. Local Material Sources.- D. Samples, Tests, Cited Specifications.- E. Certification of Compliance.- F. Plant Inspection.- G. Field Laboratory.- H. Foreign Materials.- I. Storage of Materials.- J. Handling Materials.- K. Unacceptable Materials.- L. Owner Furnished Material.- 11.6 Legal Relations and Responsibility to the Public.- A. Introduction.- B. Laws to be Observed.- C. Permits, Licenses, and Taxes.- D. Patented Devices, Materials, and Processes.- E. Restoration of Surfaces Opened by Permit.- F. Federal Aid Participation.- G. Sanitary, Health, and Safety Provisions.- H. Public Convenience and Safety.- I. Railway-Highway Provisions.- J. Construction Over, In, or Adjacent to Navigable Waters.- K. Use of Explosives.- L. Protection and Restoration of Property and Landscape.- M. Forest Protection.- N. Responsibility for Damage Claims.- J. Third Party Beneficiary Clause.- P. Possession and Use Prior to Completion.- Q. Contractor's Responsibility for Work.- R. Contractor's Responsibility for Utility Property and Services.- S. Furnishing Right-of-Way.- T. Personal Liability of Public Officials.- U. No Waiver of Legal Rights.- V. Environmental Protection.- W. Minimum Wage Rates.- X. Equal Employment Opportunity.- 11.7 Prosecution and Progress.- A. Introduction.- B. Subletting of Contract.- C. Preconstruction Conference.- D. Notice to Proceed.- E. Prosecution and Progress.- F. Limitation of Operations.- G. Character of Workmen; Methods and Equipment.- H. Progress Photographs.- I. Suspension of Work by Owner.- J. Determination and Extension of Contract Time.- K. Failure to Complete on Time.- L. Default of Contract.- M. Termination of Contract.- N. Disputes.- 11.8 Measurement and Payment.- A. Introduction.- B. Measurement of Quantities.- C. Fixed (Plan) Quantities.- D. Scope of Payment.- E. Compensation for Altered Quantities.- F. Payment for Extra and Force Account Work.- G. Eliminated Items.- H. Progress Payments.- I. Payment for Material on Hand.- J. Lump Sum Breakdown.- K. Payment of Withheld Funds.- L. Acceptance and Final Payment.- M. No Direct Payment.- 12, Presenting the Bidding Documents.- 12.1 Introduction.- 12.2 Bidding Requirements and Conditions.- A. Notice to Contractors.- B. Prequalification of Bidders.- C. Contents of Proposal Forms.- D. Issuance of Proposal Form.- E. Examination of Plans, Specifications, Special Provisions, and Site of Work.- F. Interpretation of Quantities in Bid Schedule.- G. Pre-Bid Conference.- H. Preparation of Proposal.- I. Irregular Proposals.- J. Proposal Guaranty.- K. Delivery of Proposals.- L. Withdrawal or Revision of Proposals.- M. Combination or Conditional Proposals.- N. Public Opening of Proposals.- O. Disqualification of Bidders.- P. Material Guaranty.- Q. Non-Collusive Bidding Certification.- R. Escalation Clauses.- 12.3 Award and Execution of Contract.- A. Consideration of Proposals.- B. Award of Contract.- C. Cancellation of Award.- D. Return of Proposal Guaranty.- E. Requirements of Contract Bonds.- F. Execution and Approval of Contract.- G. Failure to Execute Contract.- 13, Specification Format and Arrangement.- 13.1 Introduction.- 13.2 Section Format.- A. Five Part (AASHTO) Format.- B. Three Part (CSI) Format.- 13.3 Arranging the Sections and Identifying Section Content.- A. Arrangement of Sections.- B. Identifying Section Content.- 13.4 Standard Specifications and Special Provisions.- A. Presentation.- B. Modifying the Standard Section.- C. Modifying Articles of the Standard Section.- D. Making Reference to Articles of the Standard Section.- E. Specifying Work Not Covered by the Standard Specifications.- F. Special Provisions Note.- 13.5 Table of Contents.- 13.6 Page Format.- A. Page Size and Margins.- B. Page Identification.- 14, Procedures in the Production of Specifications.- 14.1 Introduction.- 14.2 Preliminary Information.- 14.3 Meetings with Client.- 14.4 Project Engineer Responsibility.- 14.5 Job Meetings.- 14.6 Scheduling.- 14.7 Site Inspection.- 14.8 Cooperation of Design Departments.- 14.9 Review Procedures.- 14.10 Feedback From Construction.- 14.11 Control of Quality.- 14.12 Reference Files.- 15, Qualifications of the Specification Writer.- 15.1 Introduction.- 15.2 Education.- 15.3 Field Experience.- 15.4 Knowledge of the Work.- 15.5 Ability to Write Good English.- 15.6 Additional Qualifications.- 15.7 Practices That Promote a Scarcity of Qualified Specification Writers.- Appendix A-Samples of Cited Documents and Forms.- Exhibit A-Notice to Contractors.- Exhibit B-Contractor's Qualification Form.- Exhibit C-Proposal Guaranty Form.- Exhibit D-Performance Bond Form.- Exhibit E-Payment Bond Form.- Appendix B-Sources of Information for the Specification Writer.- 1. Wood.- 2. Concrete and Reinforcement.- 3. Pipelines.- 4. Pavements.- 5. Metals.- 6. Miscellaneous Work.- 7. General.