GENERAL PROVISIONS
PART 1 GENERAL
1.1SECTION INCLUDES
A.Provisions related to the interpretation of the contract.
1.Includes document organization, language, and communication.
1.2RELATED SECTIONS
A.Section 00570: Definitions
1.3REFERENCES
A.UDOT Structures Design and Detailing Manual (SDDM)
1.4DEFINITIONS Not Used
1.5SUBMITTALS Not Used
1.6GENERAL
A.The plans and specifications are expressed in US customary units except
where a referenced document uses the International System of Units as the standard.
1.7ORGANIZATION
A.Specifications
1.The specifications are organized by sections.
a.Each section defines a portion of the project requirements
and is identified by a number and a title.
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b.References to specification sections use section numbers.
1) Section references apply to the complete specification section consisting of the Standard Specification and Special Provision for the referenced section.
2.Sections up to and including Section 01499 are general
specifications applicable to every contract unless specified as applicable under certain conditions.
a.General specifications include administrative requirements
applicable to the contract and apply without reference.
b.General specifications apply to and govern the work of all
Sections of the specifications
3.Sections beginning with Section 01500 through the end of the
specifications are technical specifications for specific pay items.
a.The pay items in a contract designate the technical
specifications that apply to a specific contract.
4.Section numbers of Special Provisions indicate the extent of the
revision to the Standards.
a.A section number followed by “S” (for example, “01234S”),
indicates a new section or a complete replacement of a Standard Specification section.
b.A section number followed by “M” (for example, “01234M”),
indicates that part of a Standard is changed, added, or deleted.
5.Specification sections are written in a three-part format. Each
Section contains the following primary PARTS:
a.PART 1 GENERAL
1) Describes administrative and procedural requirements unique to the section.
b.PART 2 PRODUCTS
1) Describes systems, assemblies, equipment, products, materials, fabrications, and mixes.
c.PART 3 EXECUTION
1) Describes site installation or application, including preparatory actions and post-installation cleaning and protection. 2) Includes site-built or site-manufactured assemblies.
6.Information describing the section format related to articles,
paragraphs, and sub-paragraphs is shown in Figure 1.
General Provisions
Figure 1 Specification Layout
SECTION NUMBER TITLE
PART (1, 2, or 3) ARTICLE (such as 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2) Paragraph (such as A, B, C under an article)
Example:
PART 1 GENERAL
ARTICLE
A.Paragraph
1.Subparagraph
a.Subparagraph
1) Subparagraph
a.Subparagraph
B.References
1.Reference to external publications is to the most recent version,
issue, or edition in effect on the date of the Notice to Bidders, unless stated otherwise.
2.Reference to a specification section incorporates all applicable
requirements of the referenced section.
a.Example: A reference in Part 2 of a section to Section
03055 for the product Class AA(AE) Concrete incorporates into the section all General, Products, and Execution requirements in Section 03055 applicable to Class AA(AE) Concrete.
b.Example: A reference in Part 3 of a section that refers to
section all General, Products, and Execution requirements in Section 03390 applicable to curing the concrete elements.
c.Example: A reference in Part 3 of a section to Section
03310 for concrete placing and finishing incorporates into the section all General, Products, and Execution requirements in Section 03310 applicable to placing and finishing concrete.
3.References to articles and paragraphs within a section may omit
the terms “Article,” “Paragraph,” and “Subparagraph.”
a.Example: A reference to “this Section, 3.2 A4c” means
Article 3.2, paragraph A, subparagraph 4c in the same section where the reference is made. General Provisions
4.Applicable requirements in a referenced section or external
publication apply the same as if they are included in their entirety in the section from which they are referenced.
a.The requirements of a section take precedence over
referenced requirements in the case of conflict.
5.Interpret the words “shown,” “specified,” or “described” without a
specified location as follows:
a.“Shown” means “shown in the plans.”
b.“Specified” means “specified in the specifications.”
c.“Described” means “described in the Contract.”
C.Pay Items
1.Each pay item is identified by a unique number and name.
a.The pay item number and name identify the pay item
throughout the Contract.
2.The first five digits of a pay item number are the section number of
the technical specification that defines the work for that pay item.
3.The last character of a pay item signifies whether something is new
or changed.
a.A digit as the last character indicates a standard pay item.
b.An asterisk (*) in place of the last digit indicates that the
pay item is supported by a contract specific Special Provision with changes affecting the pay item.
c.The letter “P” in place of the last digit indicates that a new
pay item that does not require a Special Provision is used or that the name, unit of measure, or Measurement & Payment (M&P) description of a standard pay item has been modified.
d.The letter “D” in place of the last digit indicates a standard
lump sum pay item with an estimated quantity in the item name.
1.8LANGUAGE
A.The plans and specifications are written to the Contractor.
B.The plans and specifications are written in the active voice where the
subject is expressed or implied.
1.Instructions written in the imperative mood are directed at the
Contractor.
a.The subject, “the Contractor,” is implied.
b.Imperative mood statements are considered mandatory.
1) Example: “Place the concrete.”
General Provisions
2.Decisions and actions by the Department or third parties are written
in the indicative mood.
a.The subject, “the Engineer” or a third party, is expressed.
1) Example: “The Engineer will take a sample.”
C.The Contract Documents may omit modifying words such as “all” and
“any” and articles such as “the” and “an,” but the fact that a modifier or an article is absent from one statement and appears in another is not intended to affect the interpretation of either statement in the interest of brevity.
D.Refer to Section 00570 for the meaning of abbreviations or terms used in
these specifications, the plans, and other contract documents.
1.Refer to the UDOT SDDM for the meaning of abbreviations used in
the structure drawings.
1.9COMMUNICATION
A.Submit documents and direct questions in writing to the Engineer.
B.Orders, approvals, authorizations, and requests to the Contractor are by
the Engineer unless specifically described as by another.
C.The following items from the Department are in writing:
1.Approvals
2.Authorizations
3.Decisions
4.Notifications
5.Orders
6.Responses
7.Direction
D.The following items from the Contractor must be in writing:
1.Assignments
2.Notifications
3.Proposals
4.Reports
5.Requests
a.Includes Requests For Information (RFIs), sequentially
numbered
6.Subcontracts
7.Test results
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E.Use the Department’s Information Technology (IT) systems for the
documentation and communication processes contained therein.
1.Documentation and communication are deemed to be in writing.
2.Approvals and electronic signatures may be required and are
deemed to be executed and binding.
1.10REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION (RFI)
A.Request an interpretation of the requirements in the Contract Documents
if:
1.Unable to determine from the Contract Documents the exact
material, process, or system to be installed
2.Elements of construction are required to occupy the same space
(interference)
3.An item of Work is described differently at more than one place in
the Contract Documents
B.Submission of RFIs
1.Prepare and submit RFIs on a form completely filled in and fully
legible after photocopying or scanning
2.Give each RFI a discrete, consecutive number.
3.Provide on each page of the RFI and each attachment to the RFI
the project name, project number, date, RFI number, and a descriptive title.
4.Sign all RFIs attesting to a good faith effort to determine from the
Contract Documents the information requested for interpretation.
C.Subcontractor-Initiated and Supplier-Initiated RFIs
1.Subcontractors and material suppliers submit RFIs through the
Contractor. The Contractor reviews subcontractor- and supplier- initiated RFIs and submits them attached to an RFI form prepared, signed, and submitted by the Contractor.
a.RFIs submitted directly by subcontractors or material
suppliers will be returned unanswered to the Contractor.
b.Review all subcontractor- and supplier-initiated RFIs and
take actions to resolve issues of coordination, sequencing and layout of the Work.
D.Requested Information
1.Provide the information required to understand and analyze the
circumstances causing the RFI and to prepare a clarification or direction as to how to proceed.
2.The RFI may be returned unanswered if the provided information is
insufficient. General Provisions
E.Unacceptable Uses for RFIs
1.To request approval of submittals
2.To request approval of substitutions
3.To request changes that involve change in Contract Time and
Contract Sum
4.To request different methods of performing Work than those
indicated in the Contract Drawings and Specifications
F.RFI Log
1.Prepare and maintain a log of RFIs
a.Furnish copies of the log showing outstanding RFIs if
requested by the Engineer.
G.Review Time
1.The Engineer will return RFIs to the Contractor within 10 calendar
days of receipt.
PART 2 PRODUCTS NOT USED
PART 3 EXECUTION NOT USED
END OF SECTION
General Provisions
General Provisions in other states
Utah revises spec sections through supplementals and new editions. We check this one every week and email you the day it changes. Free, no account.
Source: Utah Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 15–21 of 1,331.
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