19AQMM24N0032 SOW.docx

f

PROJECT NAME:

“CONSTRUCTION OF SELF-SUPPORTING ROOF AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS IN ALDEA CORINTO, MUNICPALITY OF OMOA, CORTES”

SPECIFICATIONS

Table of Contents

SECTION C: STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

C.01 PREFACE

The Embassy of the United States of America in Tegucigalpa, through the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Agency (INL), has a cooperation program with the Dirección Nacional de Servicios Policiales Fronterizos (DNSPF). This program is focused on improving the border services to prevent narcotic traffic implementing vehicular check point areas nearby. In this area of cooperation, INL will build SELF-SUPPORTING ROOFS AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS at the existing check point facilities and improve working conditions to frontier police agents.

The objective of the project is to construct A SELF-SUPPORTING ROOFS AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS to cover the needs Honduras’ National Police (hereafter referred to as the Client) this check point has. This self-supported roof will be constructed in Aldea Corinto, Omoa, Cortés.

The contractor shall provide all materials, staff, tools, and equipment necessary for the construction of this facility using provided designs.

C.02 SCOPE AND SPECIFICATIONS

The purpose of this SOW is to establish the requirements for the construction of the SELF-SUPPORTING ROOF AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS IN ALDEA CORINTO, MUNICPALITY OF OMOA, CORTÉS. The work includes but is not limited to the following: Construction Services, labor, supervision, tools, materials, and equipment necessary to perform the design-build, turn-key construction of the self-supporting roof.

The US Government is seeking experienced sources capable of build this project based on design attached to this document. Contractor must provide construction contracting and management services and must be experienced in the coordination of construction efforts in all aspects of new construction. The selected contractor is encouraged to hire local labor and contractors and use local materials to complete the work.

C.03 QUALIFICATIONS

The preferred Build construction firm (hereafter referred to as the Contractor) shall be licensed and certified to perform engineering, and construction services in the country of Honduras.

The Contractor will be required to supply qualified in-house engineering personnel, project management oversight, and quality assurance/quality control monitoring.

C.04 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Period of Performance (POP) The Period of Performance for this contract (construction) is 60 calendar days from the issuance of the Notice to Proceed. Contractor is required to provide a Proposed Construction Schedule that adheres to the estimated timeline. Deviations due to weather or site conditions from the Contactor's Proposed Construction Schedule will be reviewed and considered by the CO on a case-by-case basis.

C.05 TYPE OF CONTRACT

This will be a Fixed Price contract. No additional sums will be payable due to escalation in the cost of materials, equipment, or labor. Nor will the contract price be adjusted on account of fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Modifications to the contract pricing or duration of services shall be authorized by the CO (Contracting Officer). The Contractor shall not deviate from the terms of the contract. Any deviation by the Contractor without written documentation and authorization from the CO will put the Contractor at risk.

C.06 PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

Project shall be conducted according to the plans and specifications detailed in this document. The Contractor shall perform the following work:

CONTRUCT SELF-SUPPORTING ROOF IN CORINTO BORDER CHECK POINT.

Corinto check point is located southwest from Omoa city, in the department of Cortés. Approximately 2 hours from San Pedro Sula by car.

Location

15.5934906 N

-88.3702153 W Corinto check point

Work description:

a) Take away existing billboards and steel frame and relocated them nearby the self- supported roof. Build 2 reinforced concrete foundation footing, pedestals, and steel plates to support and relocate steel frame and billboards.

b) Remove existing trees interfering with installation.

c) Creating foundation footing and pedestals of reinforced concrete, and steel plates with respective anchors. Locations will define in site by INL’s technical advisor.

d) Install steel columns and other steel components to support roof according with structural blueprints.

e) Provide self-supported roof with approximately 363 m2 (14.5 m wide and 25 m long) to cover the area where a trucks scanner has been placed.

f) Install drainage system to channel water away from the roof (gutters and downspouts), a minimums three 4 inches downspouts each side.

g) Submit as-built blueprints at the end of the project in digital format (PDF and DWG)

Contractor shall complete the turn-key construction of The Self-Supporting Roof and Structural Components on the selected site in full compliance with the provided designs. Any variances from the designs must be submitted in writing to the CO and receive written approval prior to continuing the construction.

C.07.02 Construction Safety Plan The Contractor shall provide a construction site safety plan to the INL POC for approval prior to the start of any construction activities. The safety plan shall address the sequence of events, the limits of demolition (if apply), safety measures, the use of personal protection equipment, dust control measures, and protection of adjacent buildings and property. Contractor is responsible for providing to all workers the appropriate training and personal protection equipment (PPE) ensuring worker safety per local jurisdiction.

C.07.03 Hazardous materials Hazardous material (HAZMAT) identification and remediation/removal shall be done in accordance with requirements of the local jurisdiction. All identified HAZMAT shall be reported to the INL POC prior to remediation/removal. All HAZMAT requiring disposal shall be removed and disposed of legally. The Contractor shall protect all workers from exposure to HAZMATs. The cost of HAZMAT remediation/removal shall be included in the final cost estimate.

The Contractor shall remove all demolition debris to a location identified by the Client.

C.07.04 Construction Requirements The Contractor shall construct in its entirety The Self-Supporting Roof and Structural Components. Construction should follow all technical specification stated on approved designs. Contractor shall not deviate from the designs provided by INL and the Client without their prior approval.

The supporting documentation provided in addition to this SOW must be taken into consideration. Likewise, in case of conflicts between design details in drawings or schematics, the bidder must consider the most financially and technically critical scenario.

C.07.05 Defense Base Act (DBA) Insurance Contractor to provide cost for DBA Insurance. Reference section B.4

The Contractor shall provide the following deliverables:

Reports, memos INL correspondence, test results, letters, invoices, product submittals, etc. related to this project to the INL POC. Electronic copy to include PDF. Format and, dwg format for AutoCAD.

Provide copies in Spanish and English.

C.07.06.03 Trip Reports Trip Reports (electronic) shall be in sufficient detail to identify dates, locations, points of contact, attendees, directions received, and areas of concern and salient items of interest identified at the meeting or on the trip. All minutes or trip reports shall be submitted to the INL POC within seven (7) working days of completing the Government authorized trip. Trip reports shall be in English and Spanish.

C.07.06.04 Monthly Status Reports.

The Contractor shall produce Monthly Status Reports (MSRs) to the INL POC. Reports shall include at a minimum, an executive summary, identify team personnel, skill levels, schedule tracking, travel conducted, any issues and recommendations and updates/changes. The MSR shall also provide a chart showing the actual work completed versus the planned work completed as noted on the original schedule submitted to the INL POC for review and approval. The MSR is to provide information on work completed, work in progress and work outstanding, as well as highlighting problems encountered and anticipated. Provide progress photos of monthly accomplishments. Monthly progress reports shall be in English and Spanish.

Draft deliverables for the Monthly Status Report shall be submitted five (5) working days following each month to the INL POC. The INL POC will respond within five (5) working days with comments. The Contractor shall incorporate the comments within five (5) working days. For final deliverables, the INL POC will either accept or reject them within five (5) working days of submission. Final MSRs shall also be provided to the Contracting Office. In the event of rejection, the INL POC will notify the Contractor in writing of the reasons for such rejection. Absence of notification will be construed as an acceptance.

C.07.07 Licensing Requirements Architects need to have a university degree in architecture and a current license recognized by the Government of Honduras. Engineers must be registered and licensed in the Government of Honduras.

Waivers for the use of Architects and engineers licensed in countries other than the Government of Honduras will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis by the Contracting Officer.

Additional Architect and Engineer Requirements:

Documents, both hard and electronic versions, shall be provided in both English and Spanish. Shop drawings, site plans, etc. shall be provided in 11”x17” .pdf format for review and comment.

C.07.08 Mobilization and Deliveries Upon receipt of the approved final construction documents, the Contractor shall begin mobilizing on site. The Contractor is required to purchase all necessary equipment and materials and arrange for transportation and shipment to the project site. Mobilization shall be completed within 20 calendar days after issuance of a "Notice to Proceed" (NTP).

C.07.09 Invoicing Plan Invoice Due date: Contractor shall submit the invoices (Original & Soft Copy) no later than the 15th calendar day of the following month (for the previous calendar months costs).

Invoice Submission Process: The Contracting Officer will provide specific instruction to the contractor regarding the submission of invoices.

Prompt Submission of Invoices: The Contractor must be prompt in its submission of invoices.

The Government reserves the right to reject for payment any invoice that that contains costs or charges that are more than 90 calendar days old, without supporting documentation of rationale for the late submission.

The Contractor shall submit a schedule of values to correspond to the invoice submittal for the respective month. Supporting documentation for reimbursement of charges shall be provided to support the invoiced amount.

A revised construction schedule shall be submitted with each invoice payment request on a monthly basis. All costs and charges listed in any invoice must fall within the Period of Performance (POP) of that invoice.

The Contractor shall not include any costs or charges from any dates earlier or later than the POP indicated for a particular invoice (calendar month).

Invoices shall be submitted by calendar month period of performance, broken out individually by construction site and construction Divisions.

C.07.10 Quality Control:

1. The US Government has the right to inspect and test all services, to the extent practicable at all times and places during the work. The Government may perform full time quality assurance inspections [QAI] and tests during construction to confirm the work is installed according to the Contract Documents.

2. Maintain quality control over suppliers, manufacturers, products, services, site conditions, and workman- ship to produce work of specified quality.

3. Contractor shall be approved by manufacturer to perform the work for the specified guarantee period.

4. All inspections and tests required by work and authorities shall be initiated and paid for by the contractor.

C.07.11 Storage of Materials:

1. Proper storage of materials is the sole responsibility of Contractor. Protect all materials susceptible to moisture including, but not limited to, all roll goods, insulation, can’t strip, wood, and plywood in dry, above ground, watertight storage. Keep all labels intact and legible, clearly showing the product, manufacturer, and other pertinent information.

2. Store materials on site. Cover and protect materials subject to damage by weather, including during transit. Stored materials shall be available for inspection.

3. Store flammable and volatile liquids in sealed containers located a minimum of 20 feet from existing buildings.

4. Liquid products shall be delivered sealed, in original containers. Store rolls goods in an upright position.

5. Distribute material, debris, and equipment over the roof deck to avoid damage to the structural deck. Place materials and equipment to be stored on the roof as nearly direct over structural members as can be determined. Secure equipment, material, and debris on the roof to prevent movement by wind or other elements.

C.07.12 Notice of Delay In the event the Contractor receives a notice of any change in work, or if any other conditions arise which are likely to cause or are actually causing delays which the Contractor believes may result in completion of the project after the completion date, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer of the effect, if any, of such change or other conditions upon the approved schedule, and shall state in what respects, if any, the relevant schedule or the completion date should be revised. Such notice shall be given promptly and not more than five (5) days following the first occurrence of the event giving rise to the delay or prospective delay. Revisions to the approved time schedule shall only be made with the approval of the Contracting Officer.

a. Monday through Friday: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm,

b. Saturday 7:00 am to 12:00 m

c. Sunday, and Holidays: No Work

Other clauses to consider:

SAFETY

H.11.1 DOSAR 652.236-70 ACCIDENT PREVENTION (APR 2004)

(a) General. The Contractor shall provide and maintain work environments and procedures which will safeguard the public and Government personnel, property, materials, supplies, and equipment exposed to Contractor operations and activities; avoid interruptions of Government operations and delays in project completion dates; and control costs in the performance of this contract. For these purposes, the Contractor shall:

(1) Provide appropriate safety barricades, signs, and signal lights.

(2) Comply with the standards issued by any local government authority having jurisdiction over occupational health and safety issues; and,

(3) Ensure that any additional measures the Contracting Officer determines to be reasonably necessary for this purpose are taken.

(4) For overseas construction projects, the Contracting Officer shall specify in writing additional requirements regarding safety if the work involves:

(i) Scaffolding.

(ii) Work at heights above two (2) meters.

(iii) Trenching or other excavation greater than one (1) meter in h.

ZONING APPROVALS AND BUILDING PERMITS

The Client is responsible for:

Obtaining proper zoning or other land use control approval for the project, obtaining the approval of the Contract Drawings and Specifications, paying fees due and obtaining and paying for the initial building permits.

SPECIAL WARRANTIES

H.16.1 SPECIAL WARRANTY OBLIGATIONS

The Contractor will provide a quality product with a one-year construction warranty in addition to the warranties for individual parts and components. Contractor to submit to the COR a binder with all parts and components warranties for review and approval.

Any special warranties that may be required under the contract shall be subject to the stipulations set forth in 52.246-21, "Warranty of Construction", as long as they do not conflict with the special warranty.

H.16.2 WARRANTY INFORMATION

The Contractor shall obtain and furnish to the Government all information required in order to make any subcontractor's, manufacturers, or supplier's guarantee or warranty legally binding and effective. The Contractor shall submit both the information and the guarantee or warranty to the Government in sufficient time to permit the Government to meet any time limit specified in the guarantee or warranty, but not later than completion and acceptance of all work under this contract.

H.14.4 SUBSTITUTIONS

(a) PRIOR APPROVAL REQUIRED. The Contractor must receive approval in writing from the Contracting Officer before substitutions (1) proposed by the Contractor but not yet approved at the time of execution of the contract, or (2) proposed by the Contractor after execution of the contract may be used in the project. Sufficient information to permit evaluation by the Government must accompany any substitution request including but not limited to the reasons for the proposed substitution and data concerning the design, appearance, performance, composition, and relative cost of the proposed substitute. The Contractor shall make requests for substitutions in a timely manner to permit adequate evaluation by the Government. If, in the Contracting Officer's opinion, the use of such substitute items is not in the best interests of the Government, the Contractor must obtain the items originally specified with no adjustment in the contract price or completion date.

(b) APPROVAL THROUGH SHOP DRAWINGS. The Contractor may propose substitutions of materials in the submittal of shop drawings, provided such substitution is specifically requested in writing in the transmittal of the shop drawings to the Contracting Officer. Such substitution requests must be made in a timely manner and supported by the required information.

(c) FINAL APPROVAL ON DELIVERY. Acceptance or approval of proposed substitutions under the contract are conditioned upon approval of items delivered at the site or approval by sample. Approval by sample shall not limit the Government's right to reject material after delivery to the site if the material does not conform to the approved sample in all material respects.

H.14.5 USAGE RIGHTS

H.14.5.1 DOS/INL shall have the permanent right to reproduce the images for any non-profit, non-commercial use.

Any additional fee charged by the photographer for granting these rights shall be the responsibility of the A/E.

H.14.5.2 Ownership and Use of Drawings, Specifications, and Models.

All designs, drawings, specifications, models, notes and other works developed in the performance of this project, and any modifications, shall become the sole property of the US Government and may be used on any other design construction without additional compensation to the A/E. The US Government shall be considered “person from whom the work was prepared” for the purpose of authorship in any copyrightable work under Section 201(B) of Title 17, United States Code. The A/E agrees not to assert or authorize others to assert any rights nor establish any claim under the design patent or copyright laws. The A/E, for a period of three (3) years after completion of the project, agrees to furnish all retained works at the request of the US Government. Unless otherwise provided in this modification, the A/E shall have the right to retain copies of all works beyond such period, except in the case of classified designs, drawings, specification, and any other documents.

H.14.5.3 Use and Return.

Unless otherwise provided in the modification, the documents described in (a) above are not to be used by other than the A/E or by the A/E on other work and, with the exception of the signed A/E set, additional copies thereof provided to or made by the A/E shall be returned or suitably accounted for by the A/E upon final completion of the work.

All work shall be carried out in strict compliance with all contract clauses and these technical specifications. In the event that the Contractor discovers discrepancies contained in the various design/technical documents, Contractor must immediately notify the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) before taking any other action.

C.08.02 Quantities This contract is based on a lump sum priced solicitation. Any quantities indicated in the specifications and drawings are for reference only and the Contractor is responsible for providing quantities needed to complete the work, without any price adjustment after award.

The verification of all dimensions, measurements, appropriate foundation levels, and any other adjustments aligning with the desired structure must be conducted on-site, and the quantities of work in the budget must be adjusted accordingly for the bid.

C.08.03 Work Execution The different items of the construction program shall be carried out in a gradual and progressive manner, without initiating work that could later be affected by other items that have not been concluded or that lack an adequate support or safety, taking care that work that has been finished is not affected by weather or other elements.

Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining quality of work by following proper operation procedures in construction.

The Contractor shall provide a construction schedule in which all the works shall be detailed with the date of performance and delivery.

C.08.04 Cost of The Project The Contractor should include all the costs of the materials, labor, transportation, and materials testing that will be needed to complete the project and comply with all the specifications stated in this document.

C.09 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Always have to examine structural design blueprints.

Prior to initiating construction, the Contractor and COR will define the outline of the components of the project in accordance with the project drawings and, if necessary, the construction levels to be achieved will be appointed.

Additionally, signals (B.M.) shall be placed on the main points to confirm location and levels of work. The signals shall be with paint at strategic points at the existing walls.

Before beginning the construction, the Contractor shall verify all data, as shown in the drawings, and correct them in case there are any divergences between the real dimensions of the building and the data of the drawings, in accordance with the COR.

The construction axes and levels shall be marked in the area in a safe manner. The marks should be the most precise, clear, safe and stable for the most important axes and elements.

To comply with these requirements, the Contractor shall provide an expert topographer, supported by precision equipment such as: total station, levels, measuring tape, etc. as required for the placement of milestones and layouts of the remodeling project.

B. Warning signals:

The Contractor shall provide all the necessary signs and announcements to prevent accidents according to the safety plan, which shall have the approval of the COR. Signs shall be made of acrylic or galvanized sheets painted with a yellow background and with red or black letters.

C.09.02 Earthwork, Excavation and Backfilling The work described here includes excavation and backfilling, as well as carrying, piling up and removing excavation material necessary for the construction of the foundations, channels, piping, and all elements indicated in the project drawings.

A. Leveling and clearing of land This section refers to land modifications required for the execution of construction in accordance with the project drawings.

To determine final levels, theodolites or precision instruments will be used. If there are considerable differences with the specifications in the drawings, the COR shall be notified and only through a report of mutual agreement will the new levels be determined.

The residual material must be removed and placed outside the construction site in places approved by the local authority.

B Excavation Generally, excavation is understood as the removal of volumes of land or other materials for the purpose of forming spaces for construction, foundations, structures, buildings, roads, etc.

Excavation shall be done according to the heights, limits, elevations, gradients and sections set forth in the structural, architectural, and sanitary drawings, save for different or real conditions of the project.

During excavation, material satisfactory for backfilling shall be stockpiled in an orderly manner at a distance from banks of the trench equal to ½ the depth of the excavation, but in no instance closer than 60 cm. Excavated material not required or not satisfactory for backfill shall be removed from the site, without affecting the adjacent properties.

The material produced from excavation will be temporarily disposed of on the sides of excavations, so that it will not impede the execution of other work.

The final excavation to be performed in the places where specific concrete, exterior works are to be built shall be carried out as close to the pouring of concrete to avoid any alterations due to bad weather.

In no case shall excavation be performed to a depth so that the base soil is loosened or removed. If this happens, it will be considered as an “over excavation” that should be corrected by the contractor according to the project specifications.

If, in the Contractor’s or COR’s opinion, the bottom of the ditch is not strong or is unstable, over-excavation will be carried out until solid ground is reached, otherwise another solution shall be jointly agreed upon by the Contractor and the COR.

It is the Contractor’s duty to protect the stability of the adjacent properties while excavation is carried out. This should be done in such a way as to guarantee the stability of those buildings without causing any damage.

Excavation shall be protected against rain, landslides and other excavation. The Contractor shall protect the personnel executing the excavation in ditches and, if for safety reasons it is deemed necessary, the contractor shall provide timbering and shoring.

This shoring shall be reviewed and approved by the COR, and the Contractor will protect the shoring and will be removed after the excavation has been performed.

The standards for the provisional shoring in excavations are the following:

a.- When assemblages and props are used, these are placed at intervals no greater than 2.50 meters, measuring the timber lengthwise, and should penetrate the land enough to withstand the push of the walls in the excavation.

b.- Metallic cribbing shall be used for excavations greater than 5.00 meters deep or when the lateral push on the excavation walls is great.

c.- Whenever the conditions of the land demand so or when the structural drawings states, the excavation walls will be protected with stakes or projected concrete. This will be subsequently refilled according to the requirements established for the filling process.

For piping placement in excavation, the filling will be laid as a first step to cover a height of at least 20 centimeters above the highest part of piping and shall be compressed in accordance with the article of this section. Excavation will be done from the ditch in accordance with the gradient slope and required transversal lines for placement of piping as indicated on working drawings.

C. Over excavation The term over-excavation, for the purposes of the job to be carried out, is understood as excavation outside the lines and levels set forth in the drawings, the specifications and/or the COR’s instructions.

If over-excavation is done, removal should go up to the required level and filling with soil, granular material or concrete or any other material approved by the COR; compressing will be done with adequate water content, in layers that will not exceed a thickness of 15 cm, using an appropriate mechanical compressor. The compression process shall be done according to the regulations established by the standards of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO T-130). The material to be used shall be granular selected material according AASHTO 145.

The Contractor agrees not to receive any additional payment for over-excavation that may result from the conditions of the land, the action of natural agents, operations that are executed to facilitate the construction, and mistakes made by the Contractor.

D. Excavation in conglomerate stratums and rock The process of excavation when hard materials are found which cannot be loosened through ordinary methods is understood as conglomerate and rock excavation where the use of shovels, pickaxes, backhoes, or excavators is not sufficient and explosives, mechanical hammers, wedges, or sledgehammers or other similar are absolutely necessary.

If a rock is found in pieces, only fragments greater than 200 cubic decimeters will be considered a rock.

When removing rock or masonry fragments from a ditch is necessary, and if they form clusters that do not have to be totally extracted in order to erect structures, those pieces excavated within the presumed boundaries will be considered as rock, although their volume could be smaller than the one indicated in the above paragraph.

If the bottom of the trench (made to install pipes lines) is made up of conglomerate or rock, excavation will be carried out up to 0.15 m below the seat of the pipe and it will be filled later with sand and fine gravel.

When excavation is carried out on fixed rocks, the use of explosives will be allowed, provided that they do not alter the land adjacent to the excavation works and with a prior written authorization from the COR.

E. Excavation with water presence The excavation with presence of water may be caused by water coming from the underground, rainwater, floods, operation of the construction, sewage, and others.

Excavation cannot be executed in the presence of water, whatever its origin, and therefore due precautions and protections must be taken, as construction techniques advise in these cases. Excavating during the rainy season shall be prohibited.

When placing stone masonries, concrete structures, or any structure, the Contractor will ensure that water is not present in excavations, and that it will remain so until mortar and concrete have set.

The presence of water makes work more difficult and the safety of the people and the projects themselves decreases. Therefore, the Contractor is required to take due precautions to eliminate water in excavation sites by using stake boards, cofferdams, pumping, drainage, curbs, etc.

Excavation is forbidden during the rainy season. None of the excavations should have water present before placing the pipes, and under no circumstance will they be placed under water. The trenches shall remain dry until the pipes have been totally coupled and the welded junctions are completely dry.

F. Excavation for foundations This section refers to the depth of the excavation needed for foundations that will be lower than that marked for cleaning and leveling, down to the depth established by the structural drawings or by recommendation of COR. Excavation will be done in a fashion to satisfactorily build the structures. The excavation sides will be totally vertical, and the bottom will be clean, free of waste, and correctly leveled.

The foundation's base level may vary depending on the actual condition of the current terrain. It should be considered the possibility of over-excavating a percentage for stabilizing the ground upon which the foundation will be laid.

In no case will machine excavation be performed to a depth so that the soil of the bottom is loosened or removed. The final material to be excavated must be removed by pickax and shovel to a depth of 50 centimeters, also known as “conforming the plinth or ditch bottom”.

If landslides or collapses due to the depth of excavations or inconsistency of soil happen, shoring shall be built to prevent further damages or accidents.

Ditches shall remain clean, and no work will be executed in them if waste, loose dirt, water, etc. are found. After casting the foundation and pouring the foundation, the gap caused by excavation shall be filled and compressed with the extracted soil until reaching the initial level. This work shall meet the specifications detailed for “compacted backfilling with natural soil”. Leftover material shall be removed or placed as filling if acceptable by COR.

The Contractor shall take all necessary precautions to prevent water from entering excavation sites awaiting concrete pours. However, if soil deterioration is caused by unforeseen circumstances, the Contractor will perform necessary studies and analyses of the soil to deepen excavation.

G. Removal of waste and/or excavated material Waste removal is defined as the method of transportation of the materials produced by excavation, which should have a specifically determined place for disposal approved by the local authority.

When there is an excess material, the Contractor shall remove it and place it outside the area of construction where such material will not obstruct watercourses or cause detriment to the neighboring areas.

Excess or waste material should not be located in properties adjacent to the construction site unless the Contractor receives written authorization from the owners of such properties.

The material produced by excavation that will not be used for the construction of the project shall be removed from the site using heavy mechanical equipment in good condition, without causing vehicle transit interruption or neighbors’ annoyance.

H. Backfilling Backfilling is defined at the sections indicated by the project, the existing gaps between structures and excavations, or between the structures and the natural soil in such a way that any point of the finished section will remain at a distance greater than 10 centimeters from the corresponding section of the project.

The backfilling process will be carried out using earth, gravel, sand, or rock with approval from the COR.

Prior to backfilling, the land shall be free of debris, trunks, branches, etc., and in general of all organic material and all the material that is not appropriate for backfilling. The COR will approve the material that will be used for backfilling in advance and the material will come from the excavation itself or other extraction sites.

The backfilling will be done according to the project specifications and according to the lines, levels and gradients described in the architectonic and structural drawings.

The Contractor is required to obtain, transport, and maintain the necessary material for backfilling, either from the excavation site or from qualified quarries.

Special care will be given by not using the mechanical compactor in areas close to buildings or existing construction inside or outside of the property. If any damage occurs, this shall be repaired, and costs assumed by the Contractor.

The refill and/or cover of any excavation that contains lines or pipes installations and other services will not proceed until they have been placed and tested as well as approved and accepted by the COR.

The backfilling for subflooring will be placed and mechanically compacted in beds of 0.20m thick according to the D698-64Tspecifications of the American Society for testing and Materials (ASTM).

Backfilling with gravel, sand, or ground stone for formation of drains or filters shall be consistent with the grain grading specified in the working drawings; materials will be sieved and washed if required. For filter formation, the materials will be placed in such a way that the higher-grade particles remain in contact with the structure and the ones with lesser diameters in contact with the natural terrain, unless otherwise indicated.

The backfilling of rock placement shall be made with fragments of healthy, dense, and exposure-resistant rocks, with angle formation satisfactory to COR. The minimal size of the stones shall be 20 centimeters, and the maximum determined by the project, always protecting the structure.

H.01 Compacted backfilling with natural soil Compacted backfilling with natural soil is defined as placing horizontal layers of the existing soil, with a thickness of 20 cm, with the humidity that the material requires to get a mechanical compression to 95% minimum of the density of the Proctor Standard measure. Each layer shall be evenly compacted on the entire surface by pneumatic rammers or other construction equipment until obtaining the maximum compression possible with the use of these tools. The material to be used in this backfilling shall be free of organic residues and waste. Prior to backfilling, the land shall be free of debris. The COR will approve in advance the material that will be used in the backfilling process. The compression process shall be done according to the standards of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO T-130).

If the approved material for this backfilling is not enough to reach the levels specified in the project design, the Contractor shall complete the volume needed, with granular material according to the specification for “Compacted backfilling with granular material.”

The Contractor shall carry out laboratory tests to guarantee the compliance with the aforementioned specifications and the cost of these tests will be assumed by the Contractor.

H.02 Compacted backfilling with granular material Compacted backfilling with granular material is defined as placing horizontal layers of sub-base to a thickness of 20 cm. Each layer will be compacted evenly on its entire surface by pneumatic rammers or heavy construction equipment until obtaining the maximum compression possible with the use of these tools. Compaction shall be carried out using sheepsfoot rollers, pneumatic-tried rollers, steel-wheeled rollers, vibratory compactors, or other approved equipment. The thickness of the backfilling shall be in accordance with the structural and architectonic detailed drawings. Prior to backfilling, the land shall be free of debris. The COR will approve in advance the material that will be used in the backfilling process. The compression process shall be done according to the standards of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Compacting shall have a 95% of the maximum density (Proctor Test). The material to be used shall be granular selected material according AASHTO 145 (A1, A2, A3).

H.03 Compacted soil improvement with selected stone If necessary, a process should be considered wherein the quality and stability of the soil are enhanced by the addition of selected stone and subsequent compaction, aiming to improve soil characteristics to increase load-bearing capacity and resistance if the design strength is not achieved. The bidder should account for the necessary laboratory tests and design. The selected stone is placed in layers over the existing soil and compacted to create a solid and stable base. This helps prevent soil settlement and provides adequate support for the structures to be built upon it.

H.04 Embankments Not applicable for this project.

Cement is any powder-like material that mixed with a liquid, forms a binding paste capable of hardening, in time, both under water as well as in free air and which serves to join solid bodies. It must comply with the ASTM standards, specification C 150.

The Contractor shall provide adequate facilities for the storage and protection of the cement against humidity. Cement that for any reason is partially dried or has clods is unacceptable. The Contractor will not use rejected cement or previously used bags of cement.

Portland Standard cement of national production will be used and should comply with ASTM specifications and be accepted by the corresponding entities. The use of foreign cements is acceptable in case national cement is unavailable, as long as these foreign cements comply with the same basic requirements. All cement shall comply with the regulation of the Honduran Construction Code. The use of different brands of cements is not recommended at all when building one single structure or foundation.

The manufacturer might decide to add additives during the cement manufacturing process, which is acceptable if those materials, in the amounts to be used, meet the requirements of ASTM standards.

The cement must be stored in a completely dry and ventilated place, under cover, and placed on wood pallets. No more than 14 bags of cement should be placed on top of each other, and the cement should not be stored for long periods of time.

If Portland cement has been stored in bulk for over 6 months or has been stored in bags for over 3 months, the cement should be sampled, tested, and must meet the appropriate requirements, before being used.

Cement shall meet the tests listed in the previous paragraph, and correspond to ASTM and AASHTO standards:

TYPE OF TEST

· Chemical analysis

· Grain fineness

· Setting time

· Normal consistency

· Resistance to compression

· Resistance to flexion

· Resistance to pulling forces.

If the test results do not fulfill specified requirements, the cement will be rejected.

If there are several types of cement, these should be stored separately and correctly identified so that they are not mixed.

A.2 Gravel stone aggregates Gravel stone aggregates for concrete will be made up of gravel, crushed rocks, or a combination of these, and shall meet the requirements of the American Concrete Institute ACI, AASHTO and ASTM standards.

Concrete will use mechanically ground rocks, from andesitic sources, preferably made out of blue rocks.

Gravel stones used for the manufacturing of any type of concrete shall be the product of mechanical grinding; the use of natural material extracted from a quarry is not allowed. This material shall preferably be blue stone and shall have passed through a 4 cm sieve, as specified in the ASTM standard.

The Contractor shall assure availability on the work site of the required quantity of gravel stone that will be used for mixing concrete, fills, filters, transition zones, drains, etc.

The Contractor shall use gravel without impurities, organic matter and other harmful elements. It shall be thoroughly washed before use. Tile-shaped or long- shaped gravel is not allowed.

The thick aggregate that shall be used for concrete elaboration will consist of hard rock fragments with a diameter not less than 5 millimeters, dense and long-lasting, free of objectionable quantities of dust, soil, slates, alkalis, organic material, vegetable soil, mica and other harmful substances.

Round-shaped gravel that has been manually crushed or gravel from natural quarries, as long as it has a cubic or pyramidal shape, may be used. Gravel with over 15% of flat or long-shaped rocks will not be used.

The production and storage of gravel shall be done by dividing the gravel into three separate groups according to the maximum nominal size of the gravel and the following requirements:

3" (76 mm)

90-100

2" (50 mm)

1 ½ " (38 mm)

All components added to Portland cement concrete shall meet the requirements regarding particle size standards according to ASTM C136-06.

The ASTM standard requires particle sizing tests to verify their sizes. This will also be confirmed by the Contractor.

The specific gravity of particles shall be determined according to the testing method specified by the ASTM standard.

The following are the maximum allowable percentages (expressed as percentages of the sample weight) of foreign substances and determining factors of added components.

The amount of harmful substances in gravel stone shall not exceed the limits specified by the ASTM standard for this component.

The use of premixed concrete produced by companies that have certificates proving the use of high-quality materials is recommended. Specifically, the company must support its decision to use certain materials based on their resistance, which cannot be lower than the one specified in the structural design.

A.3 Fine-Grained Sand Fine-grained sand for concrete should be comprised of natural sand, sand from grinding processes (gravel), or a combination of both.

The sand should be clean, siliceous (quartz or granite sand), from mines or from other inert materials with similar characteristics. The sand should be made up of hard, angular, and rough grains, which should be strong and free from soft particles, organic material, shale, or slate. Clayish, soft, or disintegrating sands must not be used. Likewise, finely grained sand with a humidity of over 8% must not be used.

The requirements regarding particle sizing should meet the ASTM standard, i.e. arid elements for concrete.