TM 5-818-4/AFM W-5, Chap. 5
CHAPTER 6
SPECIFICATION PROVISIONS
6-1. General.
will require the contractor to submit a plan of his exca-
vation operations to the Contracting Officer for re-
a. The plans and specifications define the project in
view. The plans and specifications will require that the
detail and show how it is to be constructed. They are
excavation and subsequent construction and backfill
the basis of the contractor's estimate and of the con-
be carried out in the dry. To meet this requirement, a
struction contract itself. The drawings show the physi-
dewatering system based on the results of ground-
cal characteristics of the structure, and the specifica-
water studies may be included in the plans. Also, for
tions cover the quality of materials, workmanship, and
some projects the specifications may require the con-
technical requirements. Together they form the guide
tractor to submit his plan for controlling groundwater
and standard of performance that will be required in
conditions. The specifications should likewise indicate
the construction of the project. Once the contract is
the possibility of groundwater conditions being dif-
let, the plans and specifications are binding on both
ferent from those shown in the subsurface investiga-
the Contracting Officer and the contractor and are
tion report due to seasonal or unusual variations or in-
changed only by written agreement. For this reason, it
sufficient information, since the contractor will be
is essential that the contractor and the Contracting Of-
held responsible for controlling the groundwater flow
ficer's representative anticipate and resolve dif-
into the excavation regardless of the amount. To this
ferences that may arise in interpreting the intent and
end, the specifications should provide for requiring the
requirements of the specifications. The ease with
contractor to submit a revised dewatering plan for re-
which this can be accomplished will depend on the
view where the original dewatering plan is found to be
clarity of the specifications and the background and
inadequate.
experience of the individuals concerned. Understand-
ing of requirements and working coordination can be
b. Shoring and bracing. The specifications either
improved if unusual requirements are brought to the
will require the contractor to submit for review his
attention of prospective bidders and meetings for dis-
plans for the shoring and bracing required for excava-
cussion are held prior to construction. Situations will
tion or will specify shoring and bracing required by
undoubtedly arise that are not covered by the speci-
subsurface and groundwater conditions and details of
fications, or conditions may occur that are different
the lines and grades of the excavation. In the latter
from those anticipated. Close cooperation is required
case, the contractor may be given the option to submit
between the contractor and the inspection personnel in
alternate plans for shoring and bracing for review by
resolving situations of this nature; if necessary, to be
the Contracting Officer. The plans will present the
fair to both parties a change order should be issued.
necessary information for the design of such a system
if the contractor is allowed this option.
b. Preparation of contract specifications is easier if
an outline of general requirements is available to the
c. Stockpiling. Provisions for stockpiling materials
specification writer. However, it would be virtually im-
from required excavation according to type of backfill
possible to prepare a guide specification that antici-
may or may not be included in the specifications. Gen-
pates all problems that may occur on all projects.
erally, procedures for stockpiling are left to the discre-
Therefore, contract specifications must be written to
tion of the contractor, and a thorough study should be
satisfy the specific requirement of each project. Some
made to substantiate the need for stockpiling before
alternate specification requirements that might be
such procedures are specified. There are several condi-
considered for some projects are discussed below.
tions under which inclusion of stockpiling procedures
in the specifications would be desirable and justified.
6-2. Excavation. The section of the specifications
Two such conditions are discussed in the following
dealing with excavation contains information on
paragraphs.
drainage, shoring and bracing, removal and stock-
(1) Under certain conditions, such as those that
piling, and other items, and refers to the plans for
existed in the early stages of missile base construction
grade requirements and slope lines to be followed in
where time was an important factor, it may be neces-
excavating overburden soils and rock.
sary or desirable to award contracts for the work in
phases. As a result, one contractor may do the excavat-
6-1
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