SECTION 101 - ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS OF TERMS (Last Revised September, 2025) Wherever in these specifications or in other contract documents the following terms or pronouns in place of them are used, the intent and meaning shall be interpreted as follows:
101-01 Abbreviations of Terms.
Wherever the following abbreviations are used in these specifications or on the plans, they are to be construed the same as the respective expressions represented. Some of these abbreviations may be acronyms and some may appear with periods. AASHTO - American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials AISI - American Iron and Steel Institute AMPP - Association for Materials Protection and Performance ANSI - American National Standards Institute, Inc AREA - American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association ASME - American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASTM - American Society for Testing and Materials AWPA - American Wood-Preservers Association AWWA - American Water Works Association CADD - Computer Aided Design and Drafting CPM - Critical Path Method CFR - Code of Federal Regulations CRU - Contract Review Unit DCEC - Deputy Chief Engineer for Construction DCED - Deputy Chief Engineer for Design DCES - Deputy Chief Engineer for Structures Design and Construction DCETS - Deputy Chief Engineer for Technical Services EPA - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency FHWA - Federal Highway Administration HMA - Hot Mix Asphalt MASH - Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware MM - Materials Method MP - Materials Procedure MURK - Manual for Uniform Record Keeping MUTCD - Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices NACE - National Association of Corrosion Engineers NEC - National Electric Code NEMA - National Electrical Manufacturers Association NYCRR - Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York NYSDEC - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation NYSDOL - New York State Department of Labor NYSTA - New York State Thruway Authority OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration, US Department of Labor PCC - Portland Cement Concrete
101-01 Abbreviations of Terms.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 100 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 1 PCCM - NYSDOT Precast/Prestressed Concrete Construction Manual PCCP - Painting Contractor Certification Program RME - Regional Materials Engineer SCM - New York State Steel Construction Manual SDS - Safety Data Sheet SSPC - Society for Protective Coatings USACE - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers USC - United States Code USCG - United States Coast Guard UL - Underwriters' Laboratories VECP - Value Engineering Change Proposal WMA - Warm Mix Asphalt
101-01 Abbreviations of Terms.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 100 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 1
101-02 Definitions of Terms.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 100 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 1
101-02 Definitions of Terms.
Wherever the following terms are used in these specifications or on the plans, they are to be construed the same as the respective definitions represented. A+B Bidding. A time-related form of bidding used by the Department for contracts that are time sensitive, either in overall contract duration, or the duration of a task or tasks. The total contract bid price consists of the amount bid that will be paid for the work (the “A portion”), plus the number of days for completion of the specified work multiplied by the user cost specified in the contract documents, (the “B portion”). Addenda. Separate publication(s) containing supplemental additions, deletions, and modifications to the provisions of the Standard Specifications which are in effect on the date of advertisement for receipt of bids. Advertisement. The public announcement, as required by law, inviting bids for work to be performed or materials to be furnished. Amendment. A formal alteration by addition, deletion or modification of a proposed contract, issued prior to the opening of bids. Approved List. List of materials, equipment, Manufacturers, Fabricators or Material Suppliers approved by the Materials Bureau under a particular specification. The Approved Lists are published periodically and are available from the Materials Bureau or on the Department web site. Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). A global community of professionals dedicated to materials protection through the advancement of corrosion control and protective coatings. AMPP was created when the SSPC standards program merged with the NACE International standards program. Award. The decision of the Department to accept the proposal of the lowest responsible bidder for the work, subject to the execution and approval of a satisfactory contract therefore and bond to secure the performance thereof and to such other conditions as may be specified or otherwise required by law. Base Line Data. The relevant contract specific information and engineering data used to develop the contract plans and proposal. The relevant information and data will be listed as available on Form CONR-9 Supplemental Information Available to Bidders included in the contract proposal. Bid Deposit. The security furnished by the bidder with their proposal for a contract, as guarantee the bidder will enter into a contract for the work if their proposal is accepted. Bidder. An individual, firm or corporation formally submitting a proposal for the work contemplated acting directly or through a duly authorized representative. Bridge. The term “bridge” shall apply to any structure whether single or multiple span construction with a clear span in excess of 20 feet when measurement is made horizontally along the center line of roadway from face to face of abutments or sidewalls immediately below the copings or fillets; or, if there are no copings or fillets, at 6 inches below the bridge seats or immediately under the top slab, in the case of frame structures. In the case of arches, the span shall be measured from spring line to spring line. All measurements shall include the widths of intervening piers or division walls, as well as the width of copings or fillets.
101-02 Definitions of Terms.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 100 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 1 Broker. A firm that arranges or expedites transactions for materials. Calendar Day. Every day shown on the calendar. The calendar day begins at 12:00AM (Midnight). CFR. Code of Federal Regulations annual edition is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government, written TT CFR PPP.SS. TT refers to the Title, PPP refers to the Part and SS refers to the Section. For example: 29 CFR 1926.1 refers to Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1926, Section 1. Code of Federal Regulations are available on the internet at https://gov.ecfr.io/cgi-bin/ECFR . Change Order. Written order issued by the Department covering contingencies, extra work, deductions, increases or decreases and additions, alterations or omissions to the plans or specifications. A Change Order is referred to as an Order on Contract in State Highway Law. Chief Engineer. The Chief Engineer of the New York State Department of Transportation. Closed Drainage System. A collection system of enclosed channels for storm water runoff which carries water to a discharge point. Typically has drainage structures for inlet(s) and may include intermediate drainage structures at junction points. Commissioner. The Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation. Comptroller. The head of the New York State Office of the State Comptroller. Contemporaneous Period Analysis Method. A technique for evaluating schedule delays or time savings. The analysis period for the purpose of these provisions shall be the period covered in each regular progress schedule submission, as they coincide with contract payments to the Contractor. Contract. The executed contract agreement. The contract includes, but is not limited to, an executed contract agreement, a set of contract documents and contract bonds. Contract Agreement. The agreement covering the performance of the work and furnishing of labor and materials in the construction of the work in conformance with the requirements of the contract documents. A sample of the standard agreement is shown in §103-06 Sample Form of Contract Agreement. Contract Bond. The approved form of security, executed by the Contractor and its Surety or Sureties, guaranteeing complete execution of the contract and all supplemental agreements pertaining thereto and the payment of all legal debts pertaining to the construction of the contract. Contract Documents. The contract documents shall include the advertisement for proposals; the contract proposal; the proposal submitted by the Contractor; the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) utilization goals; the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Minority Business Enterprise/Women’s Business Enterprise/Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (DBE/MBE/WBE/SDVOB) participation goals; Appendix A Standard Clauses for New York State Contracts; the Base Line Data; Standard Specifications, including all addenda thereto identified in the contract proposal; the Standard Sheets; the contract plans; any amendments to the contract proposal or the contract plans issued prior to the date of letting; and all provisions required by law to be inserted in the contract whether actually inserted or not. Whenever separate publications other than Standard Sheets and Standard Specifications are referenced in the Contract Documents it shall mean those, as amended, which are current on the date of letting.
101-02 Definitions of Terms.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 100 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 1 Contract Limits. The limits shown in the contract documents, in which all work occurs, including advanced signing and detours covered under an individual contract. The Contractor shall be responsible for the highway within the contract limits. For contracts with multiple sites, this may be defined as a single larger limit if the sites are in close proximity, or as multiple sets of contract limits if the sites are widely separated. On-site contract work cannot be conducted outside the contract limits. If the contract limits are not specified in the contact documents, the contract limits shall be the limits within which all work is performed, including advanced signing and detours included in the contract documents. Contract Pay Item. A specifically described unit of work for which a price is provided in the contract. The basic format of a standard specification contract pay item number is a three-digit root number, a decimal point, and then either a two, four, or six-digit extension number (XXX.XX, XXX.XXXX, or XXX.XXXXXX). The three-digit root number denotes the standard specifications section to which the contract pay item relates (i.e. 564 – Structural Steel). The format of a special specification contract pay item is the same as the standard specification contract pay item number, but a two-digit origin code number (that was previously shown as a prefix) is added as a suffix. The special specifications will be contained in the contract proposal. The origin code number (RR) denotes the NYSDOT Region, Office, or Group that originated the special specification. Regardless of the length of the extension number, the suffix is always in the seventh and eighth decimal place after decimal point. For special specification contract pay item numbers with only a two or four digit extension number, blank spaces, hyphens or lowercase “b”s are used to bridge the space between the end of the extension number and the origin code number (XXX.XX----RR or XXX.XXXX--RR or XXX.XXXXXXRR or XXX.XXbbbbRR or XXX.XXXXbbRR or XXX.XX RR or XXX.XXXX RR). Contract Payments. Payments to the Contractor for work satisfactorily performed, in accordance with §109-06 Contract Payments. Contract Plans. The official contract drawings which show the location, character, dimensions, and details of the work to be performed. Contract Proposal. Part of the contract documents which includes the information for bidders, Contractor’s bid package, Special Notes, Project Details, Standard Specification revisions, and Special Specifications contained therein. Contractor. The individual, firm, or corporation undertaking the execution of the work under the terms of the contract and acting directly or through their or its agents or employees. Contractor Work Day. A calendar day scheduled for active prosecution of the work. Critical Path. In the Progress Schedule the critical activities shall be those activities being on the longest path. In a project network diagram, the series of activities which determines the earliest completion of the project. Critical Path Method (CPM). A network analysis technique used to predict project duration by analyzing which sequence of activities (which path) has the least amount of scheduling flexibility (the least amount of float). A scheduling technique utilizing activities, durations, and interrelationships/dependencies (logic), such that all activities are interrelated with logic ties from the beginning of the project to the completion of the project. Early dates are calculated by means of a forward pass using a specified start date. Late dates are calculated by means of a backward pass starting from a specified completion date (usually the early finish date calculated by the forward pass).
101-02 Definitions of Terms.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 100 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 1 Culvert. An enclosed channel open at both ends carrying water from a stream or water course through an artificial barrier such as a roadway embankment. The term “culvert” shall apply to any structure whether of single or multiple span construction with an interior width of 20 feet or less when measurement is made horizontally along the center line of roadway from face to face of abutments or sidewalls immediately below the copings or fillets, or, if there are no copings or fillets, at points 6 inches below the bridge seats or immediately under the top slab in the case of frame structures. In the case of arches, the span shall be measured from spring line to spring line. All measurements shall include the widths of intervening piers or division walls, as well as the widths of copings or fillets. Day. A calendar day unless otherwise defined or modified. Department. The New York State Department of Transportation, including staff and managers who have been delegated certain contractual and technical authority by the Commissioner. The Department maintains a web site at www.dot.state.ny.uswww.dot.ny.gov. Departmental Geotechnical Engineer. The Regional Geotechnical Engineer or his/her authorized representative, or a Geotechnical Engineer of the Geotechnical Engineering Bureau acting at the request of the Regional Geotechnical Engineer. Departmental Engineering Geologist. An Engineering Geologist of the Geotechnical Engineering Bureau authorized by the Director of Geotechnical Engineering Bureau to perform the duties required under these specifications. Design Bid Build. A construction project that is designed by the Department, competitively procured, and constructed by the Contractor. Design Build. A construction project that is designed and constructed by the Design-Builder as a result of competitive procurement. Device Day (DVDY). The sum of the number of devices used each day. For example, three Device Days could be three devices used for one day, one device used for three days, or one device used for two days plus another device used for one of those days or for a different day. Drainage Structure. A structure that collects and/or redirects storm water runoff, including catch basins, manholes, leaching basins and similar structures, but not structures for sanitary sewers. Employee. Any person working on the project mentioned in the contract documents, and who is under the direction or control, or receives compensation from the Contractor or Subcontractor. Engineer OR Engineer-In-Charge. The Engineer representing the Department of Transportation having direct supervision of the execution of the contract under the direction of the Regional Director. Equipment. All machinery and equipment, together with the necessary supplies for upkeep and maintenance, and tools and apparatus necessary for the proper construction and acceptable completion of the work. Erosion and Sediment Control. Any action taken or item used as part of a contract or as a separate action to minimize the destructive effects of wind and water on surface soil. The use and placement of berms and dams, rolled erosion control products, grasses, sod, mulches, slope drain s, sediment basins and drainage systems may be temporary and used throughout construction, or permanent and installed for the anticipated life of the facility.
101-02 Definitions of Terms.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 100 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 1 Extra Work. Work not provided for in the contract as awarded but found essential to the satisfactory completion of the contract within its intended scope. Fabricator. A firm that assembles, constructs or otherwise substantially alters materials or supplies into assemblies, components or finished items for inclusion into the work prior to resale. Federal-Aid. Joint cooperative construction or reconstruction of State highways and bridges or grade crossing elimination work with monies contributed to the State by the Federal Government under Title 23, United States Code, Highways, and amendments thereto. Federal-Aid Project. An identification applied to federally aided work for the purpose of the records of the FHWA. Federal-Aid contracts are denoted “F.A. Project” on the proposal cover and on the title page. Field Change Payment (FCP). A contract contingency that allows for the timely payment of authorized extra work that is necessary to fulfill the intent of the plans and specifications without the preparation of a change order during construction. An FCP change order is processed only to the Regional Construction Engineer level for approval, and payments are made under the contract pay item for the quantity completed at the appropriate unit price. Final Acceptance. Acceptance of the completed work by the Commissioner upon the recommendation of the Regional Director. Prior to the final acceptance the contract work may be inspected, accepted and approved by other agencies and/or municipalities who will have jurisdi ction of the work after contract completion. Final Agreement. Agreement between the New York State Department of Transportation and the Contractor, stating the net increase or decrease of the cost of work completed from the total cost of work originally authorized under the contract. All contract payments will be made prior to the issuance of the Final Agreement. Final Inspection. An independent final review of the work set forth in the contract to ensure the work is completed in accordance with the contract documents. Geotechnical Engineering Bureau. The Department’s Geotechnical Engineering Bureau has the responsibility for providing all Geotechnical Engineering Services including laboratory testing of earthwork materials. Highway. The whole strip of land bounded by the right of way lines. Incentive/Disincentive (I/D). Predetermined adjustment to the total contract amount for each day or portion thereof that the work is completed ahead of or behind a specific milestone, phase or contract completion date. Inspector. The Department of Transportation representative assigned to inspect methods and materials relating to work both on and off the site of the contract. Land Surveyor. A Land Surveyor licensed or otherwise authorized to practice surveying under Article 145 and registered or otherwise authorized under Article 130 of the New York State Education Law. Landscape Development. Landscape development is any development or item used as part of a
101-02 Definitions of Terms.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 100 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 1 project or as a separate action through the use, placement and management of land and elements for aesthetic enhancement, such as decorative surfaces and wall faces, benches, waste receptacles, tables, etc., and plant materials consistent with a specific landscape architectural design plan. Landscaping. Landscaping is the use and placement of plant materials (trees, shrubs, vines and certain ground covers) consistent with a landscape architectural design plan. Planting vegetation for screening and erosion control purposes does not constitute landscaping. Lane Rental. An amount identified as the value of a lane or lanes to be occupied by the Contractor in performance of the contract. The total amount bid for lane rental is the total value that can be used by the Contractor in performance of the contract. If additional value is used by the Contractor, that amount will be deducted from the payments to be made to the Contractor. Laying Length of Pipe. Feet (laying length) of pipe shall be measured by multiplying the number of whole units by the nominal length of each unit and adding thereto the length of any fractional units incorporated in the work. The nominal length of a unit or fractional unit shall be the inside measured length from butt end to butt end and exclusive of the bell or groove on the female end. Letting. The date and time the Contractor’s completed bid proposals are due to the Department. For Design Bid Build Low Bid Contracts, the letting is also the process by which bids are opened and publicly read, and the apparent low bidders are announced for each contract. Design Bid Build Best Value bids are not publicly opened or read. Major Item. Any contract pay item for which the original unit bid price multiplied by the original item quantity exceeds the following minimum major item value based on total contract bid price. Total Contract Bid Price Major Item Value ≤ $1,333,333 $20,000 > $1,333,333 - $66,500,000 1.5% of the total contract bid price > $66,500,000 $1,000,000 NOTE: The total contract bid price shall not include the value of any Field Change Payment item. For contracts subject to A+B Bidding, the total contract bid price will include only the “A” portion of the bid. For contracts containing Incentive/Disincentive provisions, Lane Rental provisions, or any similar provisions, the total contract bid price will exclude any incentive/disincentive, lane rental, or similar items. Manual for Uniform Record Keeping on Construction Contracts (MURK). Manual(s) containing uniform contract record keeping forms and procedures to be followed by the Engineer, current on the date of contract award. MURK Part 1A is the Contract Administration Manual (CAM), Part 1B is the Construction Inspection Manual (CIM), Part 1C is the Safety and Health Program Manual, and Part 2A is the Materials Inspection Manual (MIM). The MURK manuals are guidance documents, and are not a part of the contract documents. Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). Manual issued by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials which presents uniform guidelines for crash testing permanent and temporary highway safety features and recommends evaluation criteria to assess test results. Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Consists of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways approved by the FHWA and 17 NYCRR Chapter V, the New York State Supplement to the National Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.
101-02 Definitions of Terms.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 100 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 1 Manufacturer. A firm that operates or maintains a factory or establishment that produces, on the premises, the materials, supplies, articles or equipment required under the contract and of the general character described by the specifications. Material. Any approved material acceptable to the Commissioner and conforming to the requirements of the specifications. Material Supplier. A firm, also known as a regular dealer, that owns, operates, or maintains a store, warehouse, or other establishment in which the materials, supplies, articles or equipment of the general character described in the specification required for the performance of the contract are bought, kept in stock, and regularly sold or leased to the public in the usual course of business. A Material Supplier is an established, regular business that engages in, as its principal business, and under its own name, the purchase and sale or lease of the products in question. Packagers, brokers, manufacturer’s representatives or other persons who arrange or expedite transactions are not Material Suppliers. If the Material Supplier involves trades/occupations where prevailing wages are required to be paid, submittal of payrolls is required. Materials Bureau. The Department’s Materials Bureau has a responsibility in the quality assurance program for materials to be used on the contract and maintains a testing facility in Albany, New York. Materials Details. That information, unique to a particular product, that is necessary to adequately identify it or to describe the proper handling, installation, or use of that product. Minor Item. Any contract pay item that does not meet the definition of a Major Item. NCHRP 350. National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 350 Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features. NCHRP 350 presents procedures for the evaluation of roadside safety features and appurtenances, by vehicle crash testing or in-service evaluation. Near. When used in reference to an underground facility, within 15 feet of the outside perimeter or diameter of an underground facility or its encasement. NYCRR. Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York, written TT NYCRR PPP. TT refers to the Title, and PPP refers to the Part of the official compilation. Office. Any of the Offices of the New York State Department of Transportation. Current Offices within the Engineering Division are Construction, Design, Environment, Project Management, Structures and Technical Services. One-Call Notification System. Organization(s) whose purpose is to establish and carry out procedures to protect underground facilities from damage due to excavation and demolition, including receiving notices of intent to perform excavation and/or demolition and transmit the notices to the operators of underground facilities in the specified area. Order on Contract. Written order issued by the Commissioner covering contingencies, extra work, deductions, increases or decreases and additions, alterations or omissions to the plans or specifications. An order-on-contract is referred to as a change order in these specifications. Owner/Operator. A single individual who owns and operates a vehicle or other piece of equipment as an independent contractor and does not have any employees. An individual who rents or leases a vehicle
101-02 Definitions of Terms.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 100 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 1 or other piece of equipment without a property interest is not an Owner/Operator. The Owner/Operator is responsible for all costs incurred in the ownership and operation of the vehicle/equipment including, but not limited to: licensing/registration, insurance, taxes, permits, repairs and fuel. Payments to the Owner/Operator are for both the vehicle/equipment and an operator, and may be made on a time, distance, load or other basis. Partial Payments. Payments made to the Contractor in accordance with §109-04 Partial Payments, upon application, for materials provided prior to installation of such material in the permanent work. Payment Limit. Defines the boundary beyond which no quantities will be measured for payment. Whenever payment limits are indicated, only the work which is actually directed and completed within these limits will be measured for payment. Payment Line. Defines the line from which the work quantity will be measured. Whenever payment lines are indicated, quantities representing work completed will be measured from these lines only. No other lines or locations will be used to measure quantities. Plans. The official contract drawings and applicable standard sheets, which show the location, character, dimensions and details of the work to performed. Precast/Prestressed Concrete Construction Manual (PCCM). The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Construction Manual published by the Office of Structures. The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Construction Manual is a mandatory supplement to the contract documents for contracts which include a wide variety of precast and prestressed concrete units. Professional Engineer. A Professional Engineer licensed or otherwise authorized to practice engineering under Article 145 and registered or otherwise authorized under Article 130 of the New York State Education Law. Professional Service. Specialized technical work provided to the Contractor for a fee or other basis not generally accounted for through labor, materials and equipment billing. Professional Services primarily provide technical expertise and produce deliverables such as reports, test results, evaluations, recommendations, data or information. If the Professional Service involves trades/occupations where prevailing wages are required to be paid, submittal of certified payrolls is required. Professional Services include, but are not limited to, professional engineering, professional surveying, construction inspection, environmental services, CPM scheduling, public outreach, digital photography and laboratory testing. Project. The construction work to be performed under one or more construction contracts to complete an undertaking. Project Limits. The limits in which the improvements associated with a specific project have been designed. Proposal. The offer of the bidder for the work, when executed and submitted on the prescribed form. Proposal Form. The approved form on which the Department requires formal bids to be prepared and submitted for the work. Reasonable Close Conformity. Compliance with reasonable and customary manufacturing and construction tolerances where working tolerances are not specified. Where working tolerances are specified, reasonably close conformity means compliance with such tolerances. Without detracting fro m
101-02 Definitions of Terms.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 100 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 1 the complete and absolute discretion of the Engineer to insist upon such tolerances, the Engineer may accept variations beyond such tolerances as reasonable close conformity where they will not materially affect the value or utility of the work and the interests of the State. Region. One of eleven geographical subdivisions of the State used to designate or identify the location of the proposed work. Regional Director. The Director, acting through the Commissioner, who is delegated the authority and responsibility to execute the total Department prescribed work plans for his/her respective region. Response Contract. A contract with a significant amount of work for which the specific work and location is undefined or partially defined at time of letting. Response Contracts include Job Order Contracts, Requirements Contracts, Standby Where and When Contracts, and Statewide Emergency Bridge Contracts as identified in the Contract Proposal. Right of way or R.O.W. A general term denoting land, property or interest therein, usually in a strip, acquired for or devoted to a highway. Roadbed. The graded portions of a highway within top and side slopes, prepared as a foundation for the pavement structure and shoulders. Roadside. A general term including: the area between the outside edge of shoulder and the right of way boundary; the median area between inside shoulders of divided highways; and areas within interchanges. Roadway. The portion of a highway included between the outside edges of the shoulders. Road Section. That portion of a highway included between the top of the slope in cut and the bottom of slope in fill. Safety Data Sheet. A detailed informational document prepared by the manufacturer or importer of a hazardous chemical. The Safety Data Sheet follows a standard specification with a 16-section format as described in the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of the Classification & labeling of Chemicals which established guidelines for ensuring the safe production, transport, use, & disposal of hazardous materials. Samples. Physical examples of materials, equipment or workmanship submitted to the Engineer by the Contractor, or taken by the Engineer, in order to establish a standard which the Contractor is required to meet. Service. A firm that provides an economic activity, such as professional, technical, consultant, or managerial service, or provides bonds or insurance specifically required for the performance of the contract. Shop Drawings. Drawings, diagrams, illustrations, test data, performance charts, catalog cuts, brochures and other data prepared by the Contractor, Subcontractor, Manufacturer, Fabricator or Material Supplier for submission to the Department as an illustration of a portion of the work. Shoulder. The portion of the roadway contiguous with the traveled way for accommodation of stopped vehicles, for emergency use, and for lateral support of base and surface courses. Site. The specific area adjacent to and including the area upon which construction work is to be performed. Generally, such area may be considered as defined by the right of way or property made
101-02 Definitions of Terms.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 100 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 1 available to the Contractor for construction operations. Special Notes. Special directions, provisions, or requirements peculiar to the contract under consideration. Specifications. The body of directions, requirements, etc., contained in this present volume, together with all special specifications and documents of any description and agreements made (or to be made), pertaining to the methods (or manner) of performing the work or to the quantities and quality as shown by the test records of accepted materials to be furnished under a contract. Within these specifications there are two formats for numbering. One is used for the specification sections and subsections portion and the other for contract pay items. (See definition - Contract Pay Item.) A specification section is written using the word Section xxx Section Title (e.g., Section 564 Structural Steel) and subsections are written with a subsection symbol, the core section number, a dash, another and may include a decimal (e.g., §107-05 Safety and Health Requirements or §608-3.03E.2.). Standard Sheets. The standard drawings, issued by the Department, approved for repetitive use, showing details to be used where appropriate. The entire set of Standard Sheets is referenced and is part of the Contract Documents. The applicable version of the Standard Sheet set will be as shown in the Contract Proposal. Standard Sheets are available on the NYSDOT web site in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format. State. When used, means the State of New York, represented by the Department of Transportation through the Commissioner of Transportation. Steel Construction Manual (SCM). The Steel Construction Manual published by the Office of Structures. The Steel Construction Manual is a mandatory supplement to the contract documents for contracts which include contract pay items which require the Contractor to furnish or rehabilitate structural metals. Structures. Bridges, culverts, retaining walls, cribbing, manholes, drainage structures, end walls, buildings, sewers, service pipes, underdrains, foundation drains and other features which may be encountered in the work and not otherwise classed herein. Subcontractor. Any individual, firm or corporation to whom the Contractor, with the written consent of the Department, sublets any part of the contract. A Subcontractor is approved by the Department in accordance with §108-05 Subletting or Assigning the Contract to perform on-site work specifically required for the performance of the contract. (Note: Other agencies may have a different definition.) Superintendent. The Contractor’s authorized English speaking representative responsible for and in charge of the Work. The Superintendent shall be authorized to receive all communications from the Engineer. Surety. The corporate body bound with and for the Contractor, guaranteeing the full and complete performance of the contract, and for the payment of all debts pertaining to the work. Test. Methods adopted by the Commissioner to ascertain the quality, character and acceptability of materials and processes utilized in performing the contract. Tolerance Zone. When used in reference to an underground utility, the tolerance zone shall be a distance of 2 feet on either side of the designated centerline, plus one-half of the utility diameter, if the utility diameter is known.
102-01 Location of Regional Offices.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 100 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 1 Traveled Way. Portion of the roadway for the movement of vehicles, exclusive of the shoulders. Through traveled way is the portion of the roadway for the movement of vehicles, exclusive of shoulders and auxiliary lanes. Utility. Person, corporation, municipality or public authority engaged in the distribution of electricity, gases, petroleum products, water, steam, the collection of wastewater, the operation of traffic control systems, or the provision of telecommunication service. For the purposes of these Specifications, the term Utility will apply to organizations that operate utilities owned by others. Work. The furnishing of all labor, materials, equipment, and other incidentals necessary or convenient to the successful completion of the contract and the carrying out of all the duties and obligations imposed by the contract. Work Day. A calendar day on which State offices are open to the public for business. State recognized public holidays are not Work Days. Work Order. A formal document created by the Department that describes and approves work for execution on a Response Contract. Work Service. Specialized work, usually consisting of less than an entire contract pay item, provided to the Contractor for a fee or other basis not accounted for through labor, materials and equipment billing. If the Work Service involves trades/occupations where prevailing wages are required to be paid, submittal of certified payrolls is required. A Work Service may include, but is not limited to: concrete pumping, vehicle towing, pest control, security, cleaning services, garbage removal, and crane lifting operations.
Abbreviations and Definitions of Terms in other states
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