DWR_2801679 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

Western Dam Engineering 11 Include a Clear, Detailed Summary of Work A Summary of Work should be placed in an obvious location near the front of the specifications package to describe to the project team what the project is about and the steps necessary to complete it. The Summary of Work is the engineer’s opportunity to describe and explain, in straightforward, non-technical terms, the various work elements and how they are to be constructed. Each of the work items described within the summary should include a reference to pertinent items of the technical specifications and the bid schedule where that work item is covered. Each technical specification section then provides a detailed technical description of the work items covered under that specification. Pricing Considerations and Use in Bid Schedules The specification package must include a discussion of the methodology to be utilized in measurement and payment for the required items of work, and this will carry over to the bid schedule. This may be a separate section of the specs that is usually included in Division 1: General Requirements or a subsection of each technical specification section that describes the methodology for that particular item of work. Either way, it should include a clear, detailed description of how the work is to be measured and what is included in payment for each bid item. Two methods are commonly used to specify how the contractor is to develop his bid price: (1) lump sum pricing, and (2) unit pricing. Lump sum pricing is appropriate for work items where the contractor is largely in control of the specifics of the work item, such as contractor-developed river diversion plans, cofferdams, site dewatering and unwatering, development of contractor work areas, mobilization costs (usually some maximum allowance), site fencing and security, etc. Unit pricing is appropriate where specific quantities are required and can be estimated but may vary, such as earthwork material quantities, concrete quantities, reinforcing steel, manufactured materials, etc. A useful rule of thumb is that unit pricing methodology should always be used for anything that can be measured. This provides a basis for determining cost should quantities not be as expected, and helps shift the risk for cost overruns into a more shared territory. As a general rule, contractors do not bid lump sum items low, because they need to protect themselves from the possibility that the work will be much more involved, and thus more costly, than anticipated. Unit pricing helps define the actual expected cost of a specific bid item, allowing for fair compensation when adjustments are needed. Specifications or other contract documents should also be clear that quantity overruns resulting from contractor means and methods rather than unanticipated site conditions will not be compensated. For example, overexcavation of foundation materials which is done for the convenience of the contractor and not as a matter of necessity to establish an acceptable work surface as required by the specifications will not be compensated either in the amount of overexcavation yardage or in the quantity of compacted fill materials or concrete materials needed to replace the materials removed by the overexcavation. The point is to place the burden for intelligent contractor means and methods where it belongs, directly on the contractor. Project Completion Schedules and the Use of Liquidated Damages and Incentives Contract documents should provide for a firm but reasonable period of time for the contractor to complete the work, which allows for likely weather delays, seasonal shutdowns, anticipated delays in the acquisition of manufactured materials, etc. This schedule is often heavily influenced, as it should be, by the desires and/or needs of the project owner. However, those in a position to dictate the schedule need to remain cognizant of the corollary that among the three desirable attributes of any construction project (high quality, low cost, rapid completion), only two are attainable. Therefore, the schedule must be reasonable to provide any realistic certainty that high quality and low cost can be achieved. If schedule really is a critical issue for the projects, the use of liquidated damages is sometimes offset with the use of performance incentives to compensate the contractor for accomplished work ahead of schedule. To ensure that the contractor puts forth a diligent effort to complete the job within the specified time frame, liquidated damage provisions are often included within the specifications. These provide for financial penalties to the contractor if the project is not completed within the required time frame and/or if