Part 1 — General
1.1 Section Includes
A.Provisions related to the interpretation of the contract.
1.Includes document organization, language, and communication.
1.2 Related Sections
A.Section 00570 : Definitions
1.3 References
A.UDOT Structures Design and Detailing Manual (SDDM)
1.4 DEFINITIONS Not Used
1.5 SUBMITTALS Not Used
1.6 General
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.
1.7 Organization
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.
b.References to specification s ections use section numbers. 1) Section references apply to the complete specification section consisting of the S tandard 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 number s of Special Provisions indicate the extent of the revision to the Standards.
a.A section number followed by “S” (for example, “ 01234 S”), 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 a rticles, paragraphs, and sub-paragraphs is shown in Figure 1. 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
1.1 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 s ection inc orporates 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 inc orporates into the section all General, Product s, 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 03390 for concrete curing inc orporates into the 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.
4.Applicable requirements in a referenced s ection 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 identif y the pay item throughout the C ontract.
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 contr act 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 S pecial 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.
1.8 Language
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.”
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 eith er 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 .
1.9 COMMUNICATION 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
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.
1.10 Requests 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.
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 1 0 calendar days of receipt.
Part 2 — Products Not Used
Part 3 — Execution Not Used
Source: Utah Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 15–21 of 1,331.