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Western Dam Engineering Technical Note 16 Special Series: What the Heck Should Be in My Spec? Part 2: Writing and Utilizing “Team Effort” Specifications A thorough set of technical specifications for a dam construction project helps ensure the owner and regulator that the desired product is attained, provides the contractor with a clear understanding of requirements for bidding, and helps reduce risks for construction claims. There are many considerations for technical specifications that are unique for dam construction projects. In the last issue, earthwork considerations were discussed in Part 1 of this series. The current topic considers “team effort” specifications and their use in dam construction projects. Part 3 will conclude the series with a discussion of specification tips to ensure smooth completion of the project. Definition of Team Effort Specifications Exactly what are team effort specifications, and why would anyone want to use them? After all, we, as engineers, like to feel we are in control of the projects we design and build, and therefore we make the rules about how the project will be built, as defined by the specifications. But we should also be careful to not interfere with a contractor’s means and methods when unnecessary to do so from a dam safety perspective. The reality is that a construction project consists of a team that includes the owner, engineer, contractor and subcontractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and regulators. Team effort specifications allow portions of the project to be designed by the contractor, with the review of the engineer. These designs may be developed by the contractor, his vendor, subcontractor, or subconsultant. This approach is intended to draw on the expertise and preferred means and methods of the contractor while maintaining the engineer’s oversight. This approach can be used in a traditional design-bid- build process, or through an alternative process of selecting a contractor early in the design (i.e. perhaps at a 30 percent design level) in an effort to complete the design jointly with the contractor. The majority of this article focuses on the more traditional approach. Purpose of Team Effort Specifications Team effort specifications can serve several purposes. One purpose is the sharing or transferring of certain risk elements of the project. Another purpose is to obtain the input of other involved parties who are potentially more knowledgeable or familiar with certain specifics of the construction. These might include: ·Manufacturers and vendors of specialized or proprietary products to be used in the construction (e.g., gate manufacturers, prefabricated project components, etc.), who are familiar with their own products, their design criteria, installation and use. ·Specialty contractors (e.g., geotechnical contractors), whose experience with their methods is quite specific. It should also be recognized that the use of team effort specifications may actually help develop a team approach toward problem solving which is an important component of a successful project. Requirements of the Engineer – What Does the Engineer Need to Provide? 1.Design Criteria As the technical professional on the team, the engineer is responsible for clearly stating and defining the design criteria that must be satisfactorily addressed by the contractor’s design. These may include such items as: ·Geometric requirements ·Preferred materials ·Constraints with use of on- site material ·Recommended source of preferred materials ·Hydraulic loadings ·Structural loadings ·Seismic loadings ·Performance requirements ·Design velocities ·Operating criteria for mechanical components ·Concrete strength and curing requirements ·Quality control and quality assurance requirements ·Permit requirements (e.g., environmental discharge limits) ·Proper design guidance documents ·Dewatering criteria (e.g., allowable water levels) ·Minimum required level of flood protection ·Access to site by dam owner during construction ·Reservoir operation and release requirements 2.Baseline Data and Reports When the contractor is being asked to design certain components, the engineer is responsible for providing the contractor an adequate level of information needed to (1)