101DEFINITIONS AND TERMS

1-1 Division 100

GENERAL PROVISIONS SECTION 101 – DEFINITIONS AND TERMS 101.01 ABBREVIATIONS . All standard recognized abbreviations may be used in connection with the Contract. In addition, wherever the following abbreviations are used in these in the Contract , they are to be construed the sam e as the respective expressions represented . For abbreviations of pay units, see Table 109.01A . AAR Association of American Railroads AASHTO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials ABS Acrylonitrile -Butadiene -Styrene ACI American Concrete Institute ADA Americans with Disabilities Act AISC American Institute of Steel Construction AITC American Institute of Timber Construction AHCWS Automatic Highway Crossing Warning System ANR Vermont Agency of Natural Resources ANSI American National Standards Institute API American Petroleum Institute APL Approved Products List AQL Acceptable Quality Level ARE MA American Railway Engineering and Maintenance -of-Way Association ASD Allowable Strength Design ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASNT American Society of Nondestructive Testing ASR Alkali -Silica Reactivity ASTM ASTM International ATC Advanced Transportation Controller AWPA American Wood Protection Association AWS American Welding Society AWWA American Water Works Association BTU British Thermal Unit

1-2 CAAP Corrugated Aluminum Alloy Pipe

CCRL Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory CF, ft3 Cubic F oot C.F.R. Code of Federal Regulations CLP Clarendon and Pittsford Railroad CPEP Corrugated Polyethylene Pipe CPPP Corrugated Polypropylene Pipe CRSI Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute CSP Corrugated Steel Pipe CVEP Conceptual Value Engineering Proposal CWHSSA Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act CWR Continuous Welded Rail CY, yd3 Cubic Yard DI Drop Inlet DTA District Transportation Administrator DVEP Detailed Value Engineering Proposal ECTC Erosion Control Technology Council EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPSC Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control ES End Section ( Section 601) FAA Federal Aviation Administration, U .S. Department of Transportation FDR Full Depth Reclamation FHWA Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation FPQ Final Pay Quantity FRA Federal Railroad Administration, U .S. Department of Transportation FSS Federal Specifications and Standards (General Services Administration) FTA Federal Transit Admi nistration, U .S. Department of Transportation g Gram GMRC Green Mountain Railroad HDPE High Density Polyethylene Hz Hertz ID/IQ Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity IFI Industrial Fasteners Institute IMSA International Municipal Signal Association in.2 Square Inch ISEA International Safety Equipment Association ITE Institute of Transportation Engineers JMF Job Mix Formula JOC Job Order Contract

1-3 kg Kilogram

kip Thousand Pounds -Force kPa Kilopascal ksi Kips per Square Inch kW Kilowatt lb Pound lbf Pound -Force LRFD Load and Resistance Factor Design LSL Lower Specification Limit LVRT Lamoille Valley Rail Trail MASH Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware Mbps Megabit s per second MM Mile Marker mm Millimeters MP Mile Post MSM Material s Sampling Manual MUTCD Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways MVRT Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail N.A.B.I. Not A Bid Item NCHRP National Cooperative Highway Research Program NDS National Design Specification NDT Nondes tructive Testing NEC National Electric al Code NECR New England Central Railroad NEPCOAT North East Protective Coating Committee NEMA National Electrical Manufacturers Association NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NETC New England Transportation Consortium NHS National Highway System NPS Nominal Pipe Size NSBA National Steel Bridge Alliance NSPE National Society of Professional Engineers OSPC On-Site Plan Coordinator OSA Off-Site Activity OSHA U.S. Occupational Safety and Health A dministration OTM Other Track Material Pa Pascal PCA Portland Cement Association PCC Portland Cement Concrete PCCSP Polymeric Coated Corrugated Steel Pipe

1-4 pcf Pounds per Cubic Foot

PCI Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute PI Paved Invert PRLT Preferred Rail Laying Temperature psi Pounds per Square Inch PVC Polyvinyl Chloride PWL Percent Within Limits QAP Quality Assurance Program QC Quality Control RAM Recycled Asphalt Materials RAP Recycled Asphalt Pavement RAS Recycled Asphalt Shingles RCP Reinforced Concrete Pipe ROW or R.O.W Right -Of-Way RQL Rejectable Quality Level SAE Society of Automotive Engineers SF, ft2 Square Feet SL Smooth Lined SSPC The Society for Protective Coatings STD Single Test Deviation SY, yd2 Square Yard TL Test Level TO Turnout UL Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. U.S.C. United States Code USL Upper Specification Limit UTO Uniformed Traffic Officer V Volt VAOT, AOT , or VTrans Vermont Agency of Transportation V:H Vertical to Horizontal VOSHA Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administrat ion VRS Vermont Rail System V.S.A. Vermont Statutes Annotated VTR Vermont Railway W Watt WACR Washington County Railroad yd Yard

1-5 °C Degrees Celsius

°F Degrees Fahrenheit MΩ Megaohm µg Micro gram µm Micrometer µW Microwatt Ω Ohm 101.02 DEFINITIONS . Wherever in these specification s or elsewhere in the Contract the following terms , or pronouns in place of them , are used, the intent and meaning shall be interpreted as follows: ACCEPTABLE MATERIAL – Material that is compliant with all designated acceptance criteria. ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVEL – In Section 406 , the level of actual quality of the material, which, if equaled or exceeded, will result in a pay adjustment greater than or equal to zero. ACCEPTANCE DATE – The d ate noted in the Completion and Acceptance Memorandum on which designated responsible Agency personnel have accepted the completeness and q uality of all material incorporated in and work performed to complete the Contract . ACT OF GOD – An act of God means an earthquake, flood, cyclone, or other cataclysmic phenomena of nature beyond the ability of a prudent Contractor to foresee and make preparation to defend against damage. ADMINISTRATIVE SUBMITTALS – Submittals related to the safe mobility of the travelling public, schedule, and environmental protections that are required to be received prior to the precons truction conference and approved or found to be in conformance prior to the Notice to Proceed as specified in the respective sections. AGENCY – The Agency of Transportation of the state of Vermont (VAOT , AOT , or VTrans). APPROVED PRODUCTS LIST – A listing of products and material s that have been evaluated by the Agency , for applicable specification s, and have been deemed satisfactory for use on Contract s without additional certification requirements. AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED – Written notice confirming that the Contract has been successfully executed and the Contractor may progress Contract work , including administrative submittals required by the Contract.

1-6 Authorized Representative –

1-7 (b) Railroad Bridge . Any structure with a deck, regardless of length, which supports one or more

railroad tracks, or any other under grade structure with an individual span length of 10 feet or more located at such a depth that it is affected by live loads.

1-8 COLLUSION – A secret agreement among two or more persons, companies, or organizations for a

deceitful or fraudulent purpose. COMPACTION – Densification by means of mechanical manipulation. COMPLIANT MATERIAL – In Section 406, a material that has a PWL greater than or equal to the specified RQL, or, for the single test departure evaluation method, material where the single test result is greater than or equal to the specified RQL. CONDUIT – A tube used for carrying, holding, and protecting electrical or other utilit ies. CONSTRUCTION AREA – The entire portion of a project site within the right-of-way and easement limits during construction. CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT – See EASEMENT . CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER – The authorized representative of the Agency responsible for engineering supervision once the Contract has been signed and until completion and final acceptance. CONSTRUCTION ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER – The authorized representative of the Agency that provides guidance and technical assistance to the Engineer and Contractor on environmental compliance issues. CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS – A visible presence at the project site that may impact traffic or environmental resources. CONSTRUCTION SEASON – The period from April 1st through November 15th, inclusive. CONSTRUCTION STRUCTURES ENGINEER – The authorized representative of the Agency that provides guidance and technical assistance to the Engineer and Contractor on structural issues. CONTRACT – The written agreement b etween the Agency and the Contractor setting forth the obligations of the parties relative to the performance of the work . The Contract includes the Contract agreement, Contract bonds , project permits, Contract Plans, Standard Drawings, Standard Specifications, Special Provisions, and any change orders or supporting documents that are required to complete the work in an acceptable manner. CONTRACT BONDS – The approved form s of security, signed, notarized , and furnished by the Contractor and the Contractor’s surety or suretie s, guaranteeing complete performance of the Contract, compliance with the Contract, and the payment of all legal debts pertaining to the construction of the project or work .

1-9 CONTRACT COMPLETION DATE – The calendar date specified in the Contract , and as adjusted by

change order when applicable, by which the Contractor shall achieve substantial completion . CONTRACT DURATION – The number of working day s or calendar day s prescribed in the Contract to complet e the work . CONTRACT ITEM – A specific unit of work for which a price is provided in the Contract. CONTRACTOR – The individual, partnership, firm, corporation, any acceptable combination thereof, or a joint venture whic h is a party to the Contract with the Agency which is undertaking the performance of the work under the terms of the Contract and acting directly or through its agent(s) or employee(s). The term Contractor means the prime Contractor as differentiated from a subcontract or. All Contractors shall be registered with the Vermont Secretary of State. The Contractor will act in an independent capacity and not as officers or employees of the state. CONTRACT PLANS – See PLANS . CONTROL LIMITS – In Section 406 and Section 407 , the limits established by the Contractor in their QC plan that will trigger them to cease production, develop a corrective action plan, and take corrective action to improve the quality of the material being produced. CRITICAL PATH – The critical path is the sequence of project activities with the longest total duration , which must be completed on time for the Contract to be finished by the completion date . CRITICAL PATH METHOD (CPM) SCHEDULE – A schedule that depicts work activities in a time - based, logic diagram format showing the relationship with preceding and succeeding activities with the critical path clearly indicated. DAY – When not specified as a working day or a calendar day, a ny 24 hour period. DETOUR – A temporary route to carry traffic. DIRECT MELT GLASS BEADS – Glass beads derived from recycled glass by returning the glass to a molten form, removing impurities, and refining the glass into near -virgin glass beads. DIRECTOR OF THE HIGHWAY DIVISION – See CHIEF ENGINEER . DIRECTOR OF THE POLICY, PLANNING, AND INTERMODAL DEVELOPMENT DIVISION – The authorized representative of the Agency, appointed by the Secretary of Transportation to administer the Policy, Planning and Intermodal Development Division. DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION ADMINISTRATOR – The authorized repres entative of the Agency for a maintenance district subdivision of the state who is responsible for maintenance of state transportation facilities.

1-10 EARTH – See SOIL (EARTH) .

EASEMENT – A right acquired to use or control property outside of the established right -of-way limits for a designated purpose. EMBANKMENT – That portion of a filled area situated between the previously existing ground level and the subgrade (roadbed ). ENCROACHMENT – Use of highway or railroad right -of-way or easement unlawfully and/or without authority or permission. ENGINEER – The authorized representative of the Agency and the Chief Engineer who is responsible for engineering su pervision of a Contract. EQUIPMENT – All machinery, instruments, tools, vehicles, and apparatus es together with the necessary supplies for upkeep and maintenance, for the proper construction and acceptable completion of the work . EXTRA WORK – An item of work not provided for in the Contract as awarded but determined to be essential to the satisfactory completion of the Contract. Extra work shall be performed at agreed upon prices or on a force account basis as provided in the Contract. EXTRA WORK ORDER – A form used to provide for the performance of work or furnishing of material s involving extra work . FINAL ESTIMATE – A compilation of item quantities prepared upon completion of the Contract stating the whole amount of work done by the Contractor and the final amount to be paid under the Contract. FINALS ENGINEER – The authorized representative of the Agency responsible for handling all issues related to finalizing a Contract. FORCE ACCOUNT – Prescribed work paid for on the basis of actual costs, including appropriate extra work , as defined in Subsection 109.06 . FOULING – The condition arising when the location of an individual or an item of equipment is in such proximity to a railroad track that the individual or equipment could be struck by a moving train or on - track equipment , and as defined by the Operating Railroad. GAGE – The distance between the heads of railroad rails, measured at a point 5/8 inches below the top of the railroad rail. Standard gage measures 4 f eet 8-1/2 inches. GEOLOGIST – The authorized representative of the Agency who provides expertise pertaining to t he field of geology, such as bedrock and unbound aggregate s, as specified in the Contract .

1-11 GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING MANAGER – The authorized representative of the Agency who

provides guidance and technical assistance relating to soils and aggregate s, and geotechnical and geological engineering. GRAVEL – Rounded or semi -rounded particles of rock that will pass the 3 inch (75.0 mm) sieve and be retained on the No. 10 (2.00 mm) s ieve. HARDNESS – The resistance of a material to deformation, particularly permanent deformation, indentation, or scratching. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WASTE COORDINATOR – The authorized representative of the Agency who provides guidance and technical assistance to the Engineer and Contractor on hazardous material s and waste issues. HIGHWAY – See ROADWAY . INSPECTOR – An authorized representative of the Engineer assigned to make detailed inspections of Contract performance. JOB MIX FORMULA – The project -specific formula that specifies the target value for each property of the mixture. LABORATORY – The Agency’s Mat erials Testing and Certification Section Central Laboratory or any other testing laboratory which may be designated by the Engineer. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES – The charge assessed to the Contractor pursuant to the Contract because the Contractor did not achieve substantial completion within the Contract time or by the Contract completion date. Liquidated damages are not a penalty but an assessment of damages that are impossible or difficult to determine with accuracy. LOAD TICKET – A ticket accompanying a load of material and indicating the gross weight of the load, less the tare weight of the delivery vehicle, and other information as specified and/or as required by the Engineer. LOAM – A mixture of sand, silt, or clay, or a combination of any of these, with organic matter. LOT – A specific quantity of material from a single source that is assumed to be produced and placed by the same controlled process.

1-12 LOWER SPECIFICATION LIMIT – In Section 406 and Section 407 , the limit below which the material

characteristics become undesirable. It is one of the components used to calculate the total PWL. MAJOR ITEM – Any Contract item that has a total bid value greater than 20% of the total bid amount of the Contract. MASS – The words mass and weight are used interchangeably. Mass must be converted to force before computing structural reactions, shears, moments, or internal stresses. MATERIALS – Any substances specified for use in the construction of the project and its appurtenances. MATERIALS MANAGER – The authorized representative of the Agency responsible for the acceptance testin g and certification of material s incorporated in Contract s. MEDIAN – Unless different in context, the portion of a divided highway separating opposing traveled ways. MOISTURE CONTENT (WATER CONTENT) – The ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the mass (weight) of water in a given material to the mass (weight) of solid particles. MUCK – A soil of very soft consistency containing greater than 10% organic matter. NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION PRODUCT EVALUATION PROGRAM – The national evaluation and auditing program for manufactured products. NIGHT – The period from sunset until sunrise of the following day , as determined by the NOAA Solar Calculator for the location of the project . NON -PARTICIPATING – Designates work in which the cost is not shared by the federal and/or state government. NOTICE TO PROCEED – Written notice to the Contractor stipulating the date on which the Contractor can begin construction operation s subject to other Contract requirements. OFF-SITE ACTIVITY AREA – An area located outside of the project’s defined construction limits that is a necessary adjunct used for supporting the construction activities, including access roads, waste, borrow, and staging areas. OPERATING RAILROAD – The entity with operating rights on a public ly or privately owned railroad . OPTIMUM MOISTURE CONTENT (OPTIMUM WATER CONTENT) – The water content at which a soil can be compacted to the maximum dry density by a given compactive effort.

1-13 OTHER TRACK MATERIAL – Other railroad track material includes, but is not limited to , spikes, nuts,

bolts, tie plates, tie plugs, railroad anchors, joint bars, and other ancillary components necessary for the construction of a track. OTM does not include ties or ballast. PAVEMENT STRUCTURE – The combination of subbase , base course , and surface course placed on a subgrade to support the traffic load and distribute it to the roadbed . PAY ADJUSTMENT – In Section 406 and Section 407 , the actual monetary adjustment, either positive or negative, which is assessed for accepted material based on the pay factor calculated for the given material characteristic. The intent of a pay adjustment is to relate payment to the quality of the work and expected service life. PAY FACTOR – In Section 406 and Section 407 , a numerical factor applied to accepted material in order to calculate the pay adjustment. It is related to the quality of the material and is calculated based on one or more measured char acteristics. PAY ITEM – A specific unit of work. PERCENT WITHIN LIMITS – A statistical procedure for estimating the percent compliance with a specification that is affected by shifts in the arithmetic mean of the test results and by the sample standard deviation. PLANS – The Contract drawings that show the location, character, and dimensions of the work, including layouts, profiles, cross -sections, and other details. PLANT INSPECTOR – An authorized representative of the Agency assigned to perform detailed inspections of methods and material s at plants, including bituminous, concrete, and structural steel assembly plants. PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER – A qualified registered professional engineer licensed in Vermont pursuant to 26 V.S.A., Chapter 20 . PRO GRAM MANAGER – The authorized representative of the Agency responsible for the allocation of funding and coordination of projects on a programmatic level. PROJECT – The specific portion(s) of the transportation facility infrastructure on which work is to be performed under one or more Contract s. PRO JECT MANAGER – The authorized representative of the Agency responsible for the development of a specific project ’s design and its costs.

1-14 PUNCH LIST – List of items which are minor adjustments, repairs, or corrections to work that shall be

completed prior to the acceptance of the project . QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM – The program that prescribes the practices for acceptance of material in cons truction and maintenance. RAILBANKING – A railbank ed line is an inactive line from which the tracks may or may not have been removed which has been approved for railbank ing and interim trail use by the United States Surface Transportation Board under 16 U.S.C. § 1247(d) or by the Vermont Secretary of Transportation under 5 V.S.A. § 3408 . RAILROAD – The area within the limits of construction that is used for the movement of trains and that may include track, ties, ballast, subbase , and OTM. RECYCLED ASPHALT MATERIAL – Recycled asphalt pavement, recycled asphalt shingles, or a combination of both. REG IONAL CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER – The authorized representative of the Agency for a construction regional subdivision of the state who is responsible for administering and overseeing construction Contracts. REJECTABLE MATERIAL – Material that is non -compliant with one or more designated acceptance criteria. REJECTABLE QUALITY LEVEL – In Section 406 , the level of actual quality below which the material or construction is deemed non -compliant with the specifications. If the PWL or single test departure is less than the RQL, then the material is non -compliant. RESIDENT ENGINEER – See ENGINEER . REVIEW FOR CONFORMANCE – A review of a working drawing for compliance with the requirements of the Contract . RIGHT -OF-WAY – The land or property, or interests therein, devoted to transportation purposes. ROADBED – See SUBGRADE . ROADSIDE – The area adjoining the outer edge of the traveled way or shoulder of a highway . Extensive median areas between the roadway s of a divided highway may also be considered roadside . ROADWAY – The area within the limits of construction that is used for the movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and that may include the traveled way , shoulder , and sidewalk .

1-15 SAFETY DATA SHEETS – Sheets prepared by a manufacturer or importer providing deta iled

information about a hazardous material as required by OSHA. Safety data sheets shall be in accordance with OSHA. SAFETY OFFICER –

1-16 SPECIFICATION LIMITS – In Section 406 and Section 407 , the range of values greater than or equal to

the LSL and less than or equal to the USL. If no USL is specified, it is all values greater than or equal to the LSL. If no LSL is specified, it is all values less than or equal to the USL. SPECIFICATIONS – The compilation of provisions and requirements for the performance of prescribed work , including the following primary types of specifications and any other requirements included in the Contract.

1-17 STRUCTURAL CONCRETE ENGINEER – The authorized representative of the Agency responsible for

the evaluation and approval of various aspects of cast -in-place concrete and precast concrete as detailed in these specification s. Also responsible for s upervision of plant inspector s used at concrete plants and for the evaluation of Portl and cement concrete mix designs. STRUCTURAL EMBANKMENT AREA – The cross -sectional area of an embankment situated between the lines projected downward from the outer edges of the subgrade on a 1:1.5 (V:H) slope to the intersection with the previously existi ng ground. STRUCTURAL STEEL FABRICATION ENGINEER – The authorized representative of the Agency responsible for the supervision of inspector s used for steel fabrication and for the evaluation of field welding procedures and qualifications. SUBBASE – The layer or layers of specified or selected material of designated thickness placed to support a base and/or surface cou rse. SUBCONTRACTOR – An individual or legal entity to whom or which the Contractor sublets part of the work . SUBGRADE – The graded surface prepared as a foundation for the pavement structure and shoulder s of a transpor tation facility . SUBLOT – A subdivision of a lot. SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION DATE – The date when, in the opinion of the Engineer, all Contract items, with the exception of the Contractor’s demobilization and punch list type items , have been completed. SUBSTRUCTURE – All of that part of a structure below the bearings of simple and continuous spans, skewbacks of arches, and tops of f ootings of rigid frames; included are backwalls, wingwalls, and wing protection railings. SUPERINTENDENT – The Contractor’s authorized representative in responsible charge of the work . SUPERSTRUCTURE – All that part of a structure supported by the substructure , exc ept approach slabs. SURETY – The individual, partnership, firm, or corporation, or any acceptable combination thereof, other than the Contractor, executing the bond or bonds furnished by the Contractor. Surety companies must be authorized to do business in Vermont in accordance with 19 V.S.A. § 10 (8). SURFACE COURSE – The layers of bound materials or unbound materials above the subbase or base course in the pavement structure .

1-18 TRAVELED WAY – The portion of the roadway for the movement of vehicles, exclusive of shoulder s,

sidewalk s, and auxiliary lanes. UNIT PRICE – The price for one unit of work , as defined by the Contract. UTILITY – The privately, publicly, or cooperatively owned lines, facilities, and systems for producing, transmitting, or distributing communications, power, electricity, light, heat, gas, oil, crude products, water, steam, waste stormwater not connected with highway drainage , and other similar commodities, which directly or indirectly serve the public. This includes publicly owned fire and police signal systems and street lighting systems, which directly or indirectly se rve the public or any part thereof. The term utility shall also mean the utilit y company, inclusive of any wholly owned or controlled subsidiary. UPPER SPECIFICATION LIMIT – In Section 406 and Section 407 , the limit above which the material characteristics become undesirable. It is one of the components used to calculate the total PWL. WASTE AREA – Any area where excess material or materials unsuitable for construction are disposed. WEARING COURSE – The uppermost component of a pavement structure. WEIGHT – See MASS . WEIGHTS AND MEASURES – The Weights and Measures Section of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture , Food , and Markets. WORK – The furnishing of all labor, material s, equipment , and incidentals necessary or convenient to the successful completion of the project and carrying out of the duties and obligations imposed by the Contract. WORKING DAY – Weekdays during the construction season during which construction operation s may proceed. If the Contractor works on Saturdays, Sundays, holiday s, or during the seasonal closure period, those days will be considered working day s. WORKING DRAWINGS – Supplemental design sheets or similar data which the Contractor is required to submit to the Agency as stated in Subsection 105.0 6. WRITTEN ORDER – A statement in writing from the Engineer to the Contractor that:

1-19 (c) Document s Final Pay Quantities . Document s final pay quantities to be paid for designated FPQ

Contract items.

1-20 101.04 REFERENCED SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS . When external specifications

(e.g. AASHTO, ACI, AREMA, ASTM, MUTCD , NDS, CRSI, etc.) or requirements (e.g. t he Materials Sampling Manual ) are cited and incorporated by reference , they shall become effective only if the work or material covered by them is not covered by the Standard Specifications or Special Provisions. Specifications and requirements incorporated by reference shall be the latest revision in effect on the date of the advertisement for bids , unless otherwise specified . 101.05 COORDINATION OF CONTRACT DOCUMENTS .

1-21 (5) Standard Drawings .

1-22 Section 102 – Bidder Requirements and Conditions

102.01 INTERPRETATION OF QUANTITIES IN BID PROPOSAL . The estimates of quantities of work to be performed and/or material s to be furnished as shown on the proposal are approximate and are provided only as a basis of calculation upon which the award of the Contract is to be made. Except as otherwise provided, the Agency disclaims responsibility, and shall not be held responsible, for the estimates of quantities, whether they be less than, equal to, or greater than the quantities used in the actual performance of the work . The Contr actor shall not plead misunderstanding or deception because of the estimates of quantities or of the character, location, or other conditions pertaining to the estimates of quantities. The Agency, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to increase or d ecrease any or all of the estimated quantities of work or to omit any of them as deemed necessary. 102.02 EXAMINATION OF PLANS, PROPOSAL, AND PROJECT SITE .