20-General Notices, Notes and Information.pdf

Preparer’s Certification for

Specifications, Special Specifications, Special

Provisions, Estimate and Specification Data

Special Note:

The following items developed per the published Construction Drawings have been verified and included in the Purchasing Department’s Bid Specification Package which can be located at https://harriscountytx.bonfirehub.com. The items include:

Pricing/Delivery Information Scope of Work Special Provision to Standard Specifications Special Specifications Supplement to General Requirements Contract Time

FOR:

Intersection Improvement Prairie Drive at Windfern Road

Precinct 1, UPIN 24101MF3MD01

S

T

ATE OF TEXA

S

P R

O

F E

SSIONAL ENGI

N

E E

R

DESNECI

L

RAJASEKHAR BASAVARAJU

112149

5/4/2026 https://harriscountytx.bonfirehub.com/portal/

Scope of Work

The project, intersection improvement at Prairie Drive and Windfern Road, consists of installing 5’ X 5’ reinforced concrete boxes crossing Prairie Drive to replace the deep roadside ditches at northeast and northwest corners of the intersection. The improvements also include the asphalt milling and overlay at the intersection and new traffic signs and pavement markings.

The roadway improvements to be performed shall include but not limited to the following:

1. Implementation of traffic control plans in accordance with the Traffic Manual on

Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

2. Install new reinforced concrete box culverts and other storm sewer structures.

3. Install 48” reinforced concrete pipes to connect the existing pipes per the plan notes and callouts. Bid item for 48” RCP shall include all requirements per the plan notes and callouts.

4. Milling and overlay intersection.

5. Construct permanent traffic control devices including pavement markings and signs in accordance with Harris County Pavement Marking Details and Specifications and in accordance with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

6. Provide storm water pollution prevention measures during construction.

7. Clean up.

The above description of the scope of work is general in nature and is intended as an overview of the project only. The complete detailed scope of work and bid items are contained in the construction drawings and specifications.

Contract Time

The contract time is calendar days. 90

May 2019

GENERAL NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

In accordance with House Bill 1059, a minimum of 25% of the work to be performed on this project shall be performed by the Bidder.

Special Notice: By law, the original price on firm fixed price contracts may not be increased by more than 25%. The original price may not be decreased by 18% or more without the consent of the contractor. Please monitor additions to your contract -additions in excess of 25% will not be paid under any circumstances.

On public works projects, all contractors shall supply a list of all suppliers and subcontractors with addresses and phone numbers, prior to work commencing.

At the time of the scheduled preconstruction meeting, the successful bidder shall supply to the County a list of representatives signed by an Officer of the Company who are authorized to sign official documents, i.e., Purchase Orders, Change Orders, Final Estimates, etc.

In determining who is a responsible bidder, Harris County may take into account the past performance of the bidder on Harris County projects. Commissioners Court adopted a written definition and criteria for determining the performance of a contractor which may be considered in determining the responsibility of a bidder.

Harris County is using an internet-based Construction Program Management Software, e-Builder to maintain consistent administrative and technical control for its projects throughout the County. The Contractor is required to use e-Builder on this project in accordance with procedures provided by the County.

At no cost to the Contractor, the County will provide system login account(s) and provide training for Contractor personnel. The Contractor must update e-Builder with any new or changed information within 24 hours of that information becoming known to Contractor. The Contractor must have access to a computer with internet access and a scanner to use eBuilder.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

ON STORM WATER QUALITY AND

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

In addition to the regulatory requirements stated in the General Conditions, the Contractor shall recognize and comply with the following:

SECTION 1. STORM WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PLANS

A. COVERAGE

Coverage under the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES)

General Permit TXR150000 for storm water discharges associated with construction activities is required for a project that disturbs 1 acre or greater (or is a part of a larger common plan of development with the potential to disturb 1 acre or greater). Coverage requires the preparation, implementation, inspection, and maintenance of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), in accordance with the TPDES General Permit.

B. PROJECT CLASSIFICATION

This project is classified as one of three categories listed below. The

Contractor shall be responsible for the storm water quality items, accordingly.

1. “Construction Sites That Do Not Require TPDES General Permit

Coverage” The project disturbs less than 1 acre (and is not part of a common plan of development with the potential to disturb 1 acre or more); therefore, coverage under the TPDES General Permit is not required. However, the Contractor shall implement good housekeeping measures to minimize the potential for pollutants, associated with the construction activities, to enter the storm sewer system. Item 725, “General Source Controls”, shall be implemented by the Contractor, as well as any other erosion, sedimentation, and pollution controls shown in the plans and project manual.

or

2. “Small Construction Sites”

The project disturbs 1 acre or more, but less than 5 acres, (or is part of a common plan of development with the potential to disturb 1 acre or more);

therefore, coverage under the TPDES General Permit is required. The Contractor shall implement, inspect, and maintain the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan shown in the plans and project manual.

Certification of a TCEQ Small Construction Site Notice (CSN) in accordance with Part II.E.2 of the TPDES General Permit is required. The Contractor, as a primary operator, as defined by TPDES General Permit, shall certify one Construction Site Notice (CSN) and provide this to Harris County at the time that the contract is awarded. Harris County (owner), as primary operator, as defined by TPDES General Permit, shall certify a second Construction Site Notice (CSN) at the time the contract is awarded. After the project is awarded, Harris County shall provide copies of the two certified Construction Site Notices (CSN) to the Contractor, and send copies to the local storm sewer operator for notification purposes. Prior to commencing construction activities, the Contractor shall laminate and post the notices on the project site in a location where they are readily available for public viewing. The Contractor shall maintain the posted notices until after completion of the construction activities and final stabilization of the project site as defined by the TPDES General Permit. When the project is completed and stabilization is achieved, as defined by the TPDES General Permit, then the Contractor shall note the date that the Small Construction Site Notice was removed from the project site. A copy of the completed Small Construction Site Notice shall be provided to the Engineer with the SWPPP records. The County shall then notify the local storm sewer operator that storm water associated with construction activities is no longer being discharged from the site.

3. “Large Construction Sites”

The project disturbs 5 acres or greater (or is part of a common plan of development with the potential to disturb 5 acres or more); therefore, coverage under the TPDES General Permit is required. The Contractor shall implement, inspect, and maintain the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan shown in the plans and project manual. Certification of a Notice of Intent (NOI) in accordance with Part II.E.3 of the TPDES General Permit is required and shall be completed in accordance with Harris County Specification Item Number 700. The Contractor shall not commence with any earth disturbing activities on the project site until:

• at least seven (7) days after submittal of the NOI (Harris County & Contractors) via U.S. Postal Service, or if Utilizing electronic submittal, prior to commencing construction activities,

• copies of signed NOI’s are submitted to any municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) receiving discharge, at least seven (7) days prior to commencing construction activities. Contractor shall list in the SWPPP the names and addresses of all MS4 operators receiving a copy.

• copies of the Certified NOI’s are posted in a publicly accessible location (copies shall be laminated or placed in weather resistant display case),

• and copies (Harris County & Primary Contractors) of construction site notice for large sites (CSN) are posted in a publicly accessible location. After construction activities are complete and final stabilization is achieved (as defined by the TPDES General Permit), the Contractor shall certify one Notice of Termination (NOT) form and provide it to Harris County. Harris County shall certify a second NOT form. Harris County shall submit the two NOTs to the TCEQ and the local storm sewer system operator. After the NOTs have been submitted to the TCEQ, then the Contractor shall remove all temporary SWPPP controls, cease SWPPP inspections, and deliver copies of all SWPPP records to the Engineer who shall archive them for a minimum of three years. The final payment to the Contractor may be held until all SWPPP records are received by the Engineer.

SECTION 2. STORM WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLANS

A. COVERAGE

If this project meets the definition of “new development” or “significant redevelopment” as defined in the Harris County regulations or City of Houston ordinance on storm water quality and the project is not “grandfathered” or “exempt” as defined by the regulation or ordinance, then a Storm Water Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) is required for the project, as shown in the construction plans.

B. CLASSIFICATION

This project is classified as one of three categories listed below. The Contractor shall be responsible for the storm water quality items, accordingly.

1. “SWQ Permit Within Unincorporated Harris County”

If a Storm Water Quality Management Plan with permanent storm water quality controls is shown in the construction plans and the project is located in unincorporated Harris County, then a Storm Water Quality Management Plan is required prior to the start of construction. Prior to the start of construction, the Engineer shall submit the plans and Written Storm Water Quality Management Plan to the Harris County Permits Group and obtain the necessary signatures acknowledging acceptance of the Storm Water Quality Management Plan. The Contractor shall construct the SWQMP structural controls in accordance with the construction plans, and maintain the SWQMP structural controls until completion of the project and until the Engineer can certify that the SWQMP structural controls are constructed in accordance with the plans.

2. “SWQ Permit Within City of Houston” If a Storm Water Quality Management Plan with permanent storm water quality controls is shown in the construction plans and the project is located in the jurisdiction of the City of Houston, then a Storm Water Quality Management Permit is required prior to the start of construction.

Prior to the start of construction, the Engineer shall submit to the City of Houston the construction plans, the City of Houston Storm Water Quality Management Plan Application for Permit, and all other related documents shown on the permit application and obtain the Storm Water Quality Management Permit. Prior to the start of construction, the Contractor shall post a performance bond to the City of Houston for the construction of the storm water quality structural controls. The Contractor shall post a copy of the issued permit on the project site, construct the SWQMP structural controls in accordance with the construction plans, and maintain the SWQMP structural controls until completion of the project and until the Engineer can certify that the SWQMP structural controls are constructed in accordance with the plans.

The Engineer shall submit the Storm Water Quality Permit As-built Certificate to the City of Houston and Harris County shall begin implementation of the SWQMP.

3. “Grandfathered or Exempt from SWQ Permit” or “Storm Water Quality

Bank” If a Storm Water Quality Management Plan, or permanent storm water quality feature, is not shown in the construction plans, then a Storm Water Quality Management Permit is not required prior to the start of construction because it is grandfathered, exempt, or has provided storm water quality measures through the Storm Water Quality Bank.

SECTION 3. OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

A. BIOLOGICAL ISSUES

In accordance with requirements under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, if in the course of construction, a bird rookery, an identified special migratory bird habitat, or a nesting site is discovered on the project site, then the Contractor shall cease work in the area and immediately notify the Engineer.

In accordance with the Federal Endangered Species Act and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, if a biological mitigation plan for specially protected flora and fauna species has been provided within the construction plans, then the Contractor shall comply with all requirements noted within the plan.

B. WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES INCLUDING ADJACENT WETLANDS

In accordance with Section 404 and Section 401 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, waters of the United States including adjacent wetlands shall not be impacted by the Contractor unless a Department of the Army Permit has been obtained from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the project.

If Harris County has obtained a Department of the Army Permit for this project, a copy of the permit is provided in the project manual. The Contractor shall comply with all requirements of the Department of the Army Permit. The Contractor shall not impact any waters of the United States and adjacent wetlands greater than the area and volume shown in the permit. If the Contractor impacts waters of the United States including adjacent wetlands on the project site that exceeds the area and volume shown in the permit, then the Contractor shall be responsible for any violations that may be issued by the regulatory agencies. If the Contractor deems it necessary to impact waters of the United States including adjacent wetlands that exceed the permit, then the Contractor must first notify the Engineer and the Engineer may obtain the necessary regulatory clearances prior to allowing the additional impacts to occur.

During construction of the project, if the Contractor uses off-site areas (not owned by Harris County) for placement of borrow material, disposal of construction debris, staging of construction materials, usage as a field office, or other types of construction related activities, then the Contractor shall be solely responsible for obtaining all environmental permits for the off-site activity, as well as providing all environmental controls and compensatory mitigation requested by the permitting agency. If a regulatory violation occurs as a result of this off-site activity, then the Contractor shall be solely responsible for this violation.

C. STATE OWNED SUBMERGED LANDS

The Contractor shall not impact submerged lands regulated under the authority of the Texas General Land Office, or other local agency, without an easement agreement. If an easement agreement is necessary for the construction activities, then the easement agreement shall be obtained by Harris County.

D. CULTURAL RESOURCES

In accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act and the Antiquities Code of Texas, the Contractor shall not remove or disturb, or cause or permit to be removed or disturbed, any historical, archeological, architectural, or other cultural artifacts, relics, vestiges, remains, or objects of antiquity from the project site. In the event that such items are discovered on the project during construction activities, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Engineer. The site and the potentially significant material shall be protected by the Contractor from further disturbance until a professional examination of them can be made and/or until clearance to proceed with construction has been provided by the Engineer.

E. HAZARDOUS AND PETROLEUM SUBSTANCES

If during the course of construction, the Contractor discovers hazardous or petroleum substances or wastes on the project site, then the Contractor shall immediately cease work in the area and remove all personnel from the area. The contractor shall temporarily close the area to the public, as well; temporary fencing or caution tape shall be installed around the area. The Contractor shall notify the Engineer immediately. Work in the area shall not be permitted until the Engineer has determined that safety and environmental issues have been properly addressed.

NOTICE OF SPECIFICATIONS

For the construction of this project, the Contractor shall use the attached Special Provisions, Special Specifications, and Harris County Engineering Department (HCED) Specifications Book – Harris County Standard Specifications for Construction and Maintenance of Roads and Bridges, effective on date October 10, 2023. The current HCED specifications may be found at the HCED website: Office of the County Engineer > Services > Consultants’ Resources and Specifications > Standards & Specification > Standard Engineering Design Specifications

When applicable, the Contractor shall use the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) 2020 Standard Specifications Book. The current HCFCD specifications may be found at the HCFCD website: https://www.hcfcd.org/Technical-Manuals/all-documents?folderId=8625& view=gridview&pageSize=10

When applicable, the Contractor shall also use the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) 2014 Standard Specifications Book. The current TxDOT specifications may be found at the TxDOT website: https://www.txdot.gov/business/resources/txdot-specifications.html

When applicable, the Contractor shall also use the City of Houston (COH) Standard Specifications. The current COH specifications may be found at the COH website:

https://www.houstonpermittingcenter.org/office-city-engineer/design-and-construction-standards https://oce.harriscountytx.gov/Services/Consultants-Resources-and-Specifications/Standards-Specification/Standard-Engineering-Design-Specifications https://oce.harriscountytx.gov/Services/Consultants-Resources-and-Specifications/Standards-Specification/Standard-Engineering-Design-Specifications https://oce.harriscountytx.gov/Services/Consultants-Resources-and-Specifications/Standards-Specification/Standard-Engineering-Design-Specifications https://www.hcfcd.org/Technical-Manuals/all-documents?folderId=8625&%20view=gridview&pageSize=10 https://www.hcfcd.org/Technical-Manuals/all-documents?folderId=8625&%20view=gridview&pageSize=10 https://www.txdot.gov/business/resources/txdot-specifications.html https://www.txdot.gov/business/resources/txdot-specifications.html https://www.houstonpermittingcenter.org/office-city-engineer/design-and-construction-standards https://www.houstonpermittingcenter.org/office-city-engineer/design-and-construction-standards

SPECIAL SPECIFICATION

ITEM 0001

CASH ALLOWANCE FOR POWER POLE BRACING

Description “Cash Allowance” is to pay the cost for the temporary power pole bracing to be installed by CenterPoint Energy at the subject project location during construction.

Measurement and Payment The amount in the bid item is the firm unit price (Each), which is an estimate and should be used for the Contractor’s information only.

The actual payment will be based on the estimate provided by CenterPoint Energy and approved by the Engineer.