Washington State Model Design and
Construction Management Manual

A Collaboration Between the
Municipal Research & Services Center and the
Washington State Chapter of the American Public Works Association

Contents

• Introduction
• Disclaimers
• Design (Under Construction)
  • Parameters and Standards (Under Construction)
  • Design Parameters (Under Construction)
  • Design Standards (Under Construction)
  • Design Using Consultants
• Construction Management
  • Construction Management
  • To Bid or Not to Bid - That Always Seems to be the Question
  • An Ounce of Prevention Kills Two Birds with One Stone
  • Care and Feeding of Your Construction Contract (Under Construction)
  • No Job is Done Until the Paper Sticks to Your Shoe

Introduction

Whether you are reading this on MRSC's Web site, or off a CD-ROM, or - horror of horrors - on a paper version, you are probably wondering what, why and how. What is the Washington State Model Design and Construction Management Manual? Why did MRSC and APWA collaborate on it? How do I use it? How can it help me? How often will it be updated? How can I help? How does the Manual relate to similar publications developed by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and other agencies?

First, the Manual is intended to complement other MRSC publications, particularly The Bidding Book for Washington Cities and Towns, published in August, 2000, and to replace Bidding and Award Procedures and Sample Contract Documents, published in 1989. Each chapter of the Manual will be an electronic document on the MRSC web site and on CD-ROM upon request. Paper versions will also be available upon request. Almost all source files are in Microsoft Office 97 format. Source documents not in electronic format have been scanned and can be viewed and printed using Adobe Acrobat software.

One of the `granddaddy' sources of information on public works project design and construction management is WSDOT, particularly in relation to transportation projects. Some of WSDOT's numerous related publications include the Local Agency Guidelines, Construction Manual and Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge and Municipal Construction. APWA and WSDOT have a lengthy history of collaboration and cooperation and, since 1988, have jointly published the Standard Specifications. Many city and county public works agencies, including some of the largest, use the WSDOT publications without modification. If state or federal funds are involved in a transportation project, agencies are required to follow the Local Agency Guidelines and to use the Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge and Municipal Construction.

The intent of the Washington State Model Design and Construction Management Manual is not to duplicate WSDOT publications. Rather, it is intended to provide selected sample and model documents and other information in an interactive World Wide Web environment that can be readily adapted for local agency use on both transportation and non-transportation related projects. Links and/or references to WSDOT's Highways and Local Programs Web page and other local agency sites with useful information are provided where available and appropriate. WSDOT circulates collections of its engineering publications in CD-ROM format. As chapters of this Manual are published and available, they may be included on updates of the WSDOT CD-ROM.

Primarily, this Manual is intended to provide information and advice to Washington cities and counties on public works project design and construction management and to serve as a source and clearinghouse for sample or model documents. Other local agencies and municipal governments will find much useful information in the Manual, but must be careful to consider directly applicable statutes and regulations.

MRSC and the Washington State Chapter of APWA recognize that many smaller jurisdictions often do not have the resources to develop design and construction management documents of their own. We also know that larger jurisdictions are not only willing to share their expertise but are always looking for new and improved versions of these document themselves.

This Web version of the Manual will be updated as new sample or model documents are donated or acquired and as new chapters are completed. Comments, critiques and sample documents in electronic form are always welcome and should be addressed to John Carpita, MRSC Public Works Consultant. Out-of-state submittals and comments are also welcome.

Principal author/editor of this Manual is John W. Carpita, PE, MRSC Public Works Consultant.

Disclaimers

This Manual sets forth policies, procedures and practices followed by cities and counties in the design and construction of public works projects in Washington State. It is not, nor is it intended to be, an exclusive compilation of acceptable policies, procedures and practices for all municipal governments.

The Manual contains sample and model documents pertaining to design and construction management of public works projects from agencies of varying size and expertise. These documents are included solely as examples of what other agencies have used. Each of these was developed for the unique circumstances of a specific agency. No representation is made that these are specifically applicable to any other agency's circumstances and projects. MRSC, APWA and the contributing agencies strongly suggest that legal advisors and technical professional staff review use and adaptation of these documents.

Legislative changes through the revision date have been incorporated into the Manual as applicable. Most sample and model documents predate the current revision date. Future legislative changes and/or court decisions may result in needed changes in policies, procedures and practices presented herein. Legal counsel should be consulted regarding the need for changes.