(A) Avoiding claims and reducing bidder risk and uncertainty can be accomplished by removing or lessening the factors that contribute to claims and higher than estimated bids. A constructability review is one way to help avoid claims and provide for competitive bids within the engineer’s estimate. Usually, the Design
Project Engineer (DPE), Service Director and the CE review the final design plans with the assistance of a knowledgeable third party when appropriate. When conducting a constructability review the team should:
(1) Review general notes and special provisions;
(2) Review any subsurface investigations;
(3) Field review the project paying particular attention to:
(a) Right-of-way encroachments or obstructions, existing or impacted by the construction activity;
(b) Utilities, to remain and/or be relocated, accuracy of location both horizontally and vertically;
(c) Drainage systems/appurtenances, maintained or reconstructed, as part of project area, detoured area or adjacent facilities;
(d) Pavement or bridge condition (i.e., heaving, cracking, deterioration) of existing facility and area over which traffic is shifted and/or detoured, further deterioration since last quantity estimate;
(e) Stream and stream diversions, sediment and erosion problems and other geological features, maintained, reconstructed, and storm water management plan, if required;
(f) Railings and signs, existing and proposed meet current standards;
(g) Railroads, adequate force account funds for flaggers, time for plan reviews, approval of permits, need for temporary crossings;
(h) Maintenance of traffic, phasing, impact on adjacent facilities, detours;
(i) Impact on signals, within project limits, detoured area or adjacent facilities; and
(j) Quantities, basis of estimates, time since last estimate, magnitude of contingencies.
(B) The focus of the review should be very practical. The team should look for the obvious discrepancies in location, missing information, obstructions, conditions or quantities.
(Ord. 131-05, passed 10-17-2005)