101GENERAL, ABBREVIATIONS, AND DEFINITIONS

101.01 Active Voice, Imperative Mood.

These Standard Specifications are written with an emphasis on the active voice. In a sentence written in the active voice, someone acts on something. For example: "The Contractor will place the concrete ." A similar sentence in the passive voice – "The concrete will be placed" – would be unclear about who was responsible for placing the concrete. The Standard Specifications also are written in the imperative mood. The i mperative mood is used when the party issuing an instruction and the party receiving it are already understood. The Department is stating its requirements or directions for the work to the Contractor; such statements have the same force as if they contained the words "the Contractor will." In an imperative sentence such as, "Place the concrete ," the Department is indicating that it requires the Contractor to place the concrete. Before contract award , imperative statements are directed to the bidder(s). After contract award, imperatives are directed to the Contractor . The Department will identify parties other than the bidder or the Contractor to whom it gives a responsibility in these Standard Specific ations. In phrasings where the responsible party is clearly identified or in factual statements when it is not import ant to do so, the Department may use the passive voice. All approvals and consents are granted and all direction is given by the Engineer. All submittals are sent to the Engineer.

101.02 Organization of Specifications .

101.03 U.S. Customary Measurement Symbols , Organizations and Acronyms.

101.04 Definitions .

Acceptance. Work that has met the contract , including minimum sampling and testing and/or certification requirements. Acceptance Testing. Samples and tests that are conducted to determine whether the Department will accept a product or service for payment . Addenda. Contract revisions issued after notice of letting and before bid opening. Anticipated Profi t. Profit for work not performed. Automated Machine Guidance (AMG). AMG is the computerized guidance of construction equipment to follow the line and grade of an engineered design. Guidance is by direct control of the machinery or through visual or audible signals to the operator. Operation is based on digital input from positioning systems and may increase levels of precision, speed, and accuracy. Award . Department execution of a contract . Bid Opening. The public opening and reading of proposals. Bidder . An individual, partnership, firm, corporation, or any acceptable combination, submitting a proposal. Bid Schedule. A list of contract pay items and their estimated quantities included with the proposal forms on which bidders provide unit prices. Biodegradable . The material will decompose under ambient soil conditions into carbon dioxide, water, and other naturally occurring materials within a time period relevant to the product’s expected service life. for Highway Construction Page 11 of 715 Blaster in Charge. The person designated by the blast contractor, who is licensed in the state of Idaho, and responsible for inspecting the blast setup, clearing the blast area before detonation, and clearing the area after the blast for reentry. Board. Idaho Transportation Board. As established by 40- 301, Idaho Code. Bridge . A structure, including supports, constructed over a depression or obstruction (e.g., water, highway, railway), and having a track or passageway to carry traffic or other moving loads and a length more than 20 feet measured along the center of the traveled way or railroad between abutment undercopings or extreme ends of openings for multiple boxes. Business Day. Any day except Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Calendar Day. Any day shown on the calendar, beginning and ending at midnight. Time described in days will be ca lendar days. Central Materials Laboratory. The Department’s headquarters materials testing laboratory located at 3293 E Jordan St, Boise, ID 83702. Change Order . A written order to the Contractor, detailing changes to the specified work quantities or modifications within the scope of the contract , and establishing the basis of payment and time adjustments for the work affected by the changes. Chief Engineer . An administrator within the Department, who is designated by the Director as established by 40- 503, Idaho Code. Chip Seal Coat Warranty Guide . The Department’s guide that describes the intent, evaluation method, and criteria for a warranty chip seal coat contract. The guide includes examples of commonly seen damage, defects, or other imperfections with its respective likel y cause. Claim. A written Contractor request or demand for a contract adjustment , equitable adjustment, additional time or compensation, delay damages, pass -through subcontractor claims, or for any other remedy arising from an unresolved dispute, disagreement, or controversy concerning respective rights and obligations under the contract. Complete . A pay item is considered complete when all work associated with the pay item is acceptable, including all associated ITD form s or other documentation, material certifications or acceptance testing , and record drawings accepted by the Department. Unless otherwise specified, completed item measurements will be of the final, in place dimensions of the completed item. Concurrent Delay . Independent critical activity delays occurring at the same time. Confidence P oints. Random survey points measured in the field within the boundary of a digital terrain model (DTM) for the purpose of documenting that the natural ground DTM is a reasonable representation of the original natural ground for computation of catch points, volumes, and pay quantities . Construction Material. An article, material, or supply that consists primarily of: non- ferrous metals ; plastic and polymer -based products (including polyvinylchloride, composit e building materials, and polymers used in fiber optic cable); glass (including optic glass); lumber; or drywall. Items specifically excluded from this category are: products that are primarily iron or steel; a manufactured product; cement and cementitious materials; aggregates such as stone, sand, or gravel; or aggregate binding agents or additives. To provide clarity to item, product, and material manufacturers and processers, items that consist of two or more of the listed materials that have been combined together through a manufacturing process, and items that include at least one of the listed materials combined with a material that is not listed through a manufacturing process, for Highway Construction Page 12 of 715 should be treated as m anufactured products, rather than as construction materials. For example, a plastic framed sliding window should be treated as a manufactured product while plate glass should be treated as a construction material. Contingency Item. A contract pay item for which the Department provides a set price on the bid schedule. The Department will pay for authorized work performed under a contingency item as required by the contract. Payment for accepted work will be made using the Force Account method. Contract . The written agreement between the Department and the Contractor covering the work, performance of the work, basis of payment, time accounting, and other obligations of the parties. The contract includes the notice of letting, proposal form s, plans, specifications, contract bonds , change order s, the Standard Specifications, special provisions, Quality Assurance (QA) manual, Quality Assurance Special Provision (QASP), and other documents designated by the Department as part of the contract. Contract Amount. The original total bid amount at the time of award . Cont ract Date. The date the Contract is signed by both parties. For the purchase of supplies or services, by contract modification, the term contract date means the date of the contract modification. Contract Bonds . Statutory bonds executed by the Contractor and the surety, including the performance bond and payment bond, guaranteeing performance of the contract and payment of lawful indebtedness pertaining thereto. Contract Pay Item (Pay Item). A specific unit of the work for which a price is provided in the contract. Each individual work item is considered a major item of work. Contract pay items are numbered to correspond to the ap propriate sections of the Standard Specifications. Special provision contract pay items are numbered beginning with an “S” followed by a section number to which work is similar or to a 900 generic series number. Contract Time . The time allowed by the contract for substantial completion of the work. Contractor (Prime Contractor) . The individual, partnership, firm, corporation, or any acceptable combination thereof, contracting with the Department for performance of the work. Contractor -Obligated Defects (CODs). The loss of asphalt or chips, or action simulating the loss of asphalt or chips, due to poor Contractor quality of work and/or materials that diminish the chip seal coat ’s effectiveness and appearance. Some of the most common CODs are described in the Department’s Chip Seal Coat Warranty Guide. Control Network. An array of control stations established by the Contractor or provided by the Department established by a surveyor. Control St ation. Any item identified in the project records as having an authoritative position or elevation on the project datum and intended to be used to control the phases of t he work. Critical Habitat. A term that has special significance and meaning under the ESA. It is a specific geographic area that contains features essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and that may require special management and protection. Critical habitat may include an area that is not currently occupied by the species but that will be needed for its recovery. Critical habitat areas and boundaries are established by regulation and published in the Federal Register, where more specific information on each critical habitat area is included. ESA -listed species and their habitat are protected whether or not they are in an area designated as critical habitat. Critical Path . The longest path of continuous activities through the project schedule that establishes the sche duled substantial completion date and typically has the least amount of total float. for Highway Construction Page 13 of 715 Cultural Resource . Sites, structures , objects, or districts significant in history, architecture, archeology, or culture that is on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Culverts. A structure under the traveled way with a clear opening of 20 feet or less measured along the roadway centerline. Delay. An unanticipated deferment of the start, progress, or fini sh of a scheduled activity. Department . Idaho Transportation Department acting on behalf of the Board. Department Headquarters . The Department headquarters are located at 11331 W Chinden Blvd., Bldg. 8, Boise, ID 83714. Digital Terrain Model (DTM) . An electronic computer model of the shape of th e ground. Director . The chief administrative officer of the Department, as established by 40- 503, Idaho Code and the Director’s authorized agents. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise ( DBE ) Authorized Representative. The person delegated by the owner of the DBE firm to represent the firm in the absence of the owner. Dispute. A disagreement between the Engineer and the Contractor related to interpretation of the contract or the Engineer’s decision under the contract, which is not a claim under the contract, and i s handled informally between the Engineer and the Contractor. Dispute Review Board (DRB) . A contract -specific board of three neutral individuals selected by the Department and the Contractor to help in the administrative resolution process at the Resident Engineer level. Engineer. The District Engine er of the Department acting directly or through the Resident Engineer and is an authorized representative of the Department having general supervision over construction and maintenance work in one of the several districts of the Department. The district boundaries are on file in the office of the Department. Equipment. Machinery, tools, apparatus, and supplies necessary for upkeep, maintenance, proper construction, and acceptable completion of the work. Erodible Material or Surface. Exposed earthen material, except solid rock, that may be carried or displaced by wind, rainfall, snowmelt, or mechanically applied water. Extra Work . Work not provided for in the contract as awarded, but found essential for satisfactory completion of the contract within its intended scope, as determined by the Engineer. Float (Total Float). The total number of days in the project schedule that a scheduled activity can be delayed and still achieve substantial completion within the contract time. Force Account . A payment method for work performed by the Contractor. Grade Verification Points. Random survey points measured in the field to verify that a constructed grade has been built according to the line and grade of the design. Highway . A public way for vehicular travel, including the entire area within the right of way. Holidays. In the state of Idaho, the recognized holidays are: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr./Idaho Human Rights Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas or on a day proclaimed as a holiday by legal authority. for Highway Construction Page 14 of 715 Incidental . Work necessary to fulfill the contract that is not measured or paid for separately. Independent Assurance (IA) . An unbiased and independent evaluation of sampling and testing procedures. Inspector . The Engineer’s authorized representative assigned to inspect work and materials. Laboratory . A laboratory used for materials sampling and testing qualified through appropriate programs as determined by the Department. An independent laboratory is a qualified laboratory not owned or controlled by the Department or the Contractor. Limited Chip Seal Coat Warranty Acceptance . The Engineer’s written acknowledgement the chip seal coat appears to have been satisfactorily constructed, including excess chips have been removed, and the warranty period can begin. Lost Day of Work. When work on critical activities cannot proceed for at least 5 hours per day, as determined by the Engineer. Lot. A specified material quantity from a single source or a measured construction quantity assumed to be produced by the same process. Materials . A substance or product specified for incorporation in the work. Manufacturer . A firm that operates or maintains a factory or establishment that produces, on premises, materials, supplies, articles, or equipment for use in the work. Manufacturer’s Representative. A representative for a manufacturer who has technical and overall expertise in the manufacturer’s products, materials, supplies, articles, or equipment and can provide manufacturer’s recommended technical guidance for all applications on a project. The representative cannot be an employee of the contractor. Neat Line. The line established in the plans that designate the location, shape, and border to which work is to be built or formed. Noncontractor -Obligated Defects (NCODs). Damage to the chip seal coat beyond the control of the Contractor as described in the Department’s Chip Seal Coat Warranty Guide. Nonexcusabl e Delay . Delays in the work that are the Contractor’s fault or responsibility. Notice of Letting . A public notification of the Department’s intent to receive proposals and award a contract for construction. The notice of letting contains information regarding the receipt and opening of proposals. Notification of Awa rd. Written notice to the Contractor to begin the work. Overburden. Surface soil or granular material that may or may not be suitable for construction purposes, and that overlays other material suitable for road or bridge construction. Pavement Structure. The structure constructed on the roadbed and typically includes pavement surfacing, base course s, and granular subbase. Pay Item . See Contract Pay Item. Payment Bond. See Contract Bonds . Performance Bond. See Contract Bonds . for Highway Construction Page 15 of 715 Plastic Pipe. ABS, PVC (ribbed or solid), corrugated polyethylene (Type S), polypropylene (double wall or triple wall), or steel reinforced ribbed polyethylene. Plan Quantity . The quantity listed on the bid schedule paid for as specified in 109.01.B. Plans . Approved drawings or approved drawing reproductions included in the contract, showing the location, type, dimensions, and details of the work. Professional Engineer . An engineer licensed in accordance with 54- 1215, Idaho Code to practice the profession of engineering in the state of Idaho. Project (Project Site) . The highway section or the area in the plans where the work is to be performed. For contracts where Davis -Bacon Wages apply, the project site also includes the physical place or plac es where the work called for in the contract will remain and any other site where a significant portion of the work is constructed, provided the project site is established specifically for the performance of the contract and it is within one mile of the project limits. Job headquarters, tool yards, batch plants , borrow pits, etc., are part of the project site of work provided they are dedicated exclusively, or nearly so, to performance of the contract and they are within 1 mile of the project site. Not included in the project site are the Contractor’s or the subcontractor’s permanent home offices, branch plant establishments, fabrication plants, tool yards, etc., whose location and continuance in operation are determined wholly without regard to a particular contract. In addition, commercial or material supplier fabrication plants, batch plants, borrow pits, job headquarters, tool yards, etc., that were established before bid advertisement and not on the project site, are not included in the project site. Such permanent, previously established facilities are not part of the project site, even where the operations for a period of time may be dedicated exclusively, or nearly so, to the performance of a contract. Project Records. Reco rds or data of any type on any media including those produced by the Contractor or its consultants, subcontractors, suppliers, or manufacturers that are related to the contract . Project records include, but are not limited to, plans, worki ng drawings, specifications, manufacturer’s recommendations, catalog cuts, daily time reports, testing records, testing observations, measurements, records of force account work, schedules and scheduled updates or revisions, quality control plans and related documentation, inspection reports, traffic control plans and log, safety program and incident reports, soil erosion and water pollution control plans and logs, employment records, payrolls, i ntern al accounting records, equal opportunity and affirmative action records, on- the-job and disadvantaged business enterprise reports, preconstruction conference records, progress me eting records, partnering records, correspondence, e- mails, and any other documents related to the work. Prompt Payment . When the Contractor pays each subcontractor or supplier by the 20th day after receiving payment from the Department . Proposal. A bidder’s written offer to perform the work. Proposal Forms . The forms and information provided by the Departm ent to prospective bidders to use in composing a proposal. Proposal Guaranty . The required security (e.g., bid bond) submitted with the proposal to ensure execution of the contract . Quality Analysis (QA). Evaluation performed to determine percent of material within limits and to assign a corresponding pay factor. for Highway Construction Page 16 of 715 Quality Assurance Program (QAP) . The planned and systematic actions necessary to provide adequate confidence a product or service will satisfy the contract for quality assurance program and includes quality control, independent assura nce, verification testing , and acceptance testing. Quality Control (QC) . The activities to make sure a product meets contract . Activities may include materials handling and construction procedures, calibration and maintenance of equipment , production process control, sampling, testing, and inspec tion. Quality Level Anal ysis. A mathematical procedure that provides an estimate of the percentage of a lot that is within the specification limits (i.e., percent within limits). Quick -Set Emulsion. An emulsion used for microsurfacing designed to allow acceptance o f rolling traffic on a 1/2 inch- thick surface placed at 75°F and 50 percent humidity within an optimal time of 1 hour. Random Sample . A sample selected where every element of the population has an equally likely opportunity to be included. Recreational Resource. A publicly owned site used solely for recreational purposes. Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) . Salvaged, milled, pulverized, broken, or crushed bituminous material that may have minor coatings of dust or aggregate particles with no discernable seams , pockets, or amounts of base, soil, or deleterious material. Record Drawings . A revised set of drawings submitted by the Contractor, upon completion of the work, showing all changes from the plans in the permanent work on the project site by the Contractor, any subcontractor, any utility companies, or municipal, local, county, state, or federal agencies completed from the time of contract award until substantial completion, including final quantities , and will include all revisions to the contract design made during the construction phase. Also known as as -constructed or as -built drawings or simply, as -builts. Reference Stakes. Stakes set away from, but with information relating back to, the intended location and grade. Regular Dealer . A firm that owns, operates, or maintains a store, warehouse, or other facility that supplies material s, articles, or equipment for purchase or lease, and regularly stocks, sells, and leases to the public during the usual course of business. Regulatory Floodway . The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas, regulated by federal, state, or local requirements, that must be reserved in an open manner (i.e., unconfined or unobstructed) horizontally or vertically, to provide for the discharge of the base flood so the cumulative increase in water surface elevation does not exceed a designated amount. Resident (Design Construction) Engineer. The authorized Engineer representative. Responsible Bidder. A bidder that possesses the ability to perform the work and complete the contract . Responsive (Regular) Bid . A bid that meets all the requirements of the advertisement and prop osal. Right of Way . A general term denoting land, property, or an interest therein acquired for or devoted to highway purposes. Roadbed. The top of subgrade, on which the pavement structure, curbs, sidewalks, median, and other incidental facilities are constructed. for Highway Construction Page 17 of 715 Roadside . The areas between the outside edges of the shoulders and the right of way boundaries, and areas between the roadways of a divided highway. Roadway . A portion of the highway for vehicular use, including the shoulders and the portion of the highway within the limits of any construction. Roadway Prism . The engineered/structural portion of the highway, that includes the pavement structure plus the area between the roadbed shoulders or back of curb, extending downward and outward at the slope of 2.0H:1.0V to the intercept of natural ground, removal limit, or slope of embankment keying benches. Included elements are the roadway pavement structure, embankment fill, foundations for embankment, and soft spot excavation/backfill. Embankment fill outside of the 2.0H:1.0V slope is not considered part of the roadway prism. Roller Coverage. The rolling of the entire width 1 time, including roller overlap. Roller Pass. The passing of the roller over an area (roller width) one time. Run Chart. A plot of data in time sequence. Shoulder . The portion of the roadway adjacent to the traveled way for accommodation of stopped vehicles, for emergency use, and for lateral support of base and surface courses. Significant Change . When the character of the work as altered differs materially in kind or nature from that involved or included in the original proposed plans or work and when a contract pay item is increased in excess of 125 percent or decreased below 75 percent of the original contract quantity . An allowance for an increase in quantity will apply only to the portion in excess of 125 percent of the original contract item quantity, or in case of a decrease below 75 percent, to the actual amount of work performed. Slope Catch . The location where a design slope intersects the existing natural ground and where excavation or embankment work should begin to provide the intended earthwork . Slope Staking. The process of using measurements and calculations in the field to determine the slope catch. Slope staking will normally include setting stakes to mark the slope catch and setting a reference stake for every catch stake. Snug- Tight . Is the tightness r eached by a few blows from an impact wrench or the full effort of a person using a 12 inch spud wrench. Special Provisions. Additions and revisions to the Standard Specifications covering conditions specific to the contract . Specification s. A general term applied to all written provisions and requirements pertaining to performance of the work. Specialty item . A contract pay item not chargeable to subcontract percentages if designated on the bid schedule. Stakes. Stakes, nails, marks, stringlines, or other devices or mechanisms set or established for the purpose of indicating or controlling the location, orientation, or grade of any feature intended for construction or for the purpose of limiting or influencing the work. Staking. The act of placing stakes . Standard Drawing. Detailed engineering drawings approved for repetitive use for specific work items. for Highway Construction Page 18 of 715 Standard Specifica tions . The Department’s accumulation of specifications into a book or PDF document and approved by the FHWA. State . The state of Idaho, acting through an authorized representative. Statistical Analysis . A method of analyzing inspection test results to determine conf ormity with the contract . Street Monument. A survey monument set within the limits of the paved roadway, (1) on or in reference to a roadway centerline alignment so as to control the geometry of a roadway, or (2) at a PLSS section corner or at a PLSS quarter corner or, in urban areas, at a PLSS sixteenth c orner. Structures . Bridges, culverts, headwalls, retaining walls, cribbing, riprap, underdrains, pipelines, buildings , catch basins, manholes, and similar features that may be encountered or constructed in the work. Subcontractor . The individual, partnership, firm, corporation, or any acceptable combination thereof, with the Department’s written approval, that sublets part of the c ontract . Subgrade . Materials directly below the pavement structure. The subgrade is natural in- place material (e.g., excavated areas) or compacted fill material (e.g., embankments). Sublot . The quantity represented by 1 complete test. Substantial Completion. When the work is to the point the traveling public can safely use the improvements without further delays, disruption, or impediments. For conventional bridge and highway work, substantial completion is when existing bridge removal, bridge deck, parapet, pavement structure, shoulder, permanent signing and markings, traffic barrier, and safety appurtenance work is c omplete. Substructure . A part of the structure below the bridge beam/bearing seats, below the skewbacks of arches , below the top of footings of rigid frames, below the top of caps of trestle bents, or below the top of columns on box girders. Wingwalls and b ackwalls of abutments are part of the substructure. Superintendent . The Contractor’s authorized representative responsible for and in charge of the work. Superstructure . A part of the structure not defined as substructure. Surety . The corporation, firm, partner ship, or individual supplying the contract bonds provided by the Contractor. Survey Marker . Any survey monument, control station, or stake. Survey Monument . Any physical structure, a long with any references or accessories, used to mark the location of a land boundary survey corner, geodetic control point, or local control point. There are many different types of survey monuments (e.g., public and private land corners, highway and inte rstate monuments, National Geodetic Survey (NGS) horizontal control monuments and benchmarks). Survey monuments may be marked stones, brass or aluminum caps, reinforcing bar with or without metal or plastic caps, and various other installa tions or combinations intended to mark locations (e.g., public and private land corners, control points, benchmarks). Surveyor. The individual designated by the Contractor and licensed in the state of Idaho as a professional land surveyor (PLS) and placed in responsible charge of the survey work as defined in 54- 1202(12), Idaho Code. Technical (or Technical Service) Representative. See Manufacturer's Representative. for Highway Construction Page 19 of 715 Temporary Benchmark (TBM). A control station established for the purpose of providing authoritative vertical control for the work. A TBM may or may not have an established horizontal position. Topsoil . Surface soil suitable for seed germination a nd the support of vegetative growth. Traffic Control Device. Signs, signals, markings, and devices placed on, over, or adjacent to a street or highway by authority of a public body or official with jurisdiction to regulate, warn, or guide traffic. Traffic Lane. The traveled way portion for the movement of a single line of vehicles. Traveled Way. The right of way portion for the movement of vehicles, excluding shoulders. Truck Volume. The truck volume created by the 3 inside dimensions of a truck box wit h the length and width confined by the physical limits of the truck box and the height measured from the truck box floor to the top of the shortest side. Verification Testing. The sampling and testing carried out independent of acceptance sampling and testing to verify the Contractor’s results. Wetland . Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas. Work. The construction activity including the labor, materials, equipment, and other incidentals necessary for project completion as required by the contract and the carrying out of the duties and obligations imposed by the contract. The terms include buildings, structures , and improvements of all types (e.g., bridges, highways, parkways, st reets, sewers, mains, pumping stations, railways, drilling, blasting , excavating, clearing, landscaping). The manufacture or furnishing of materials, articles, supplies or equipment (whether or not a f ederal or state agency acquires title to such materials, articles, supplies, or equipment during the course of the manufacture or furnishing, or owns the materials from which they are manufactured or furnished) is not work. Working Day. All calendar days, except the following:

102.01 Contents of Proposal Forms .

The Department will provide proposal forms to a bidder through the QuestCDN.com website for purchase. Bidders must appear on the plan holders list for their proposal to be accepted by the D epartment. The proposal forms will include the following:

102.02 Interpretation of Quantities in Bid Schedule.

The quantities provided in the bid schedule are approximate and are used to compare proposals. The Department may change these quantities or eliminate contract pay items as specified in 104.02. The Department will only pay for accepted work quantities as specified in 109.

102.03 Examination of Plans, Specifications, and Project Site.

Carefully examine the proposed contract, project site, plans, and the proposal f orms before preparing and submitting a proposal. If a bidder chooses to not perform project site investigations and the Department awards the contract to that bidder, the bidder will be responsible for onsite project conditions that would hav e been discovered had the bidder performed a reasonable onsite project investigation. A reasonable project investigation includes investigating the project site, borrow sites, hauling routes, and other locations related to the performance of the work. A reasonable onsite project investigation also includes inspection of these documents. Department -provided information is for the bidder’s general knowledge only and is not a substitute for the bidder’s own reasonable investigation, interpretation, or judgment. Upon request or at the Department’s discretion, the Department will provide electronic design data, also known as reference files, for the project during the advertisement period. It is the bidder’s responsibility to check periodically to see if reference files have been post ed or updated on the ITD Notice to Contractor’s page, located at the following link: https://itd.idaho.gov/business/ . Addendums will not be used to notify the bidder that reference files have been posted. The reference files will only be available during the advertisement period and will be removed after the bid opening.