Recommended Contract Practices For Underground Construction

A successful underground project is one where relationships are strong, the objectives as understood by each party are met or exceeded, and the work product serves its stakeholders and is maintainable in a way that fits with the project vision. High-level metrics for project success relate to safety, quality, schedule, and budget. The first edition of Recommended Contract Practices for Underground Construction has become a valued resource for the underground industry, serving as a concise guide for drafting and implementation of contract provisions. It provided improvements to underground contracting practices during all project stages. It also presented clear roles and responsibilities for project participants to promote better contracts. This second edition was undertaken by the UCA of SME because the industry has undergone numerous changes over the last decade. Changes in tunneling technology, more common use of design-build as a contracting mechanism, and many lessons learned have sparked some creative contract approaches. The recommendations contained in this edition are intended to guide owners and their engineers in developing and administering contracts and to give contractors a better understanding of the rationale behind contract provisions. The goal is that more underground projects in this country can be best projects, where improved relationships and fair contracts enable all project participants to personally invest in cost-effective, profitable projects, ensuring the continued health of the underground industry.

Underground construction is more complex than ever. Demand for space is increasing, new technologies are constantly evolving, and more stakeholders are asserting influence. Yet one of the most challenging and frustrating characteristics of underground construction remains: often, contract language does not account for the unique nature of building underground. Recommended Contract Practices for Underground Construction is the first industry-wide effort to improve contract procedures in more than 30 years. Commissioned by the Underground Construction Association of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, this manual is an indispensable resource for contractors, consultants, suppliers, and owners anticipating underground projects. The authors suggest better practices during all stages of a project, when decisions are made that can affect the contract positively or negatively. Part one focuses on the practices and disciplines that build the foundation for effective contracts during the early phases of a project. Part two discusses best practices for contract provisions, payment mechanisms, and dispute resolution. By following these recommendations, you'll reduce the mistrust and costly disputes that often arise from the contract process. The result will be improved relationships, better contracts, and, most importantly, projects that are most cost-effective for owners and more profitable for contractors.

This practice manual examines the Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR) which establishes a contractual statement of geotechnical conditions anticipated during underground and subsurface construction. Emphasis is placed on large underground projects such as tunnels, underground chambers, shafts, subway stations, mine development, and deep foundation excavations that have a significant anticipated risk of differing site condition claims. Guidelines for what should be included in the GBR are provided, in addition to a checklist of items to consider, recommendations for the content and wording to be used in baseline statements to improve their clarity and precision, and examples of problematic and improved practice in stating baselines. The importance and benefit of ensuring compatibility between the GBR and other elements of the Contract Documents, with emphasis on the specifications, drawings, and payment provisions is also discussed.

Design-Build construction has become so widely accepted that owners and their advisors must seriously consider this approach when making decisions about project delivery. With its opportunities for cost containment and substantial risk transfer, Design-Build is increasingly becoming the delivery method of choice for owners with challenging funding limitations. But deciding to use the Design-Build system for underground projects is one thing; successfully implementing it is quite another. Design-Build Subsurface Projects, Second Edition, can help bridge that gap. First published in 2002, this cutting-edge book provides a straightforward, comprehensive look at how to make Design-Build work on complicated projects involving tunnels, highways, dams, and deep foundations. The authors are a "who's who" of subsurface construction experts, many of whom are key players in the most high-profile and challenging projects in the world. Drawing upon their wealth of practical experience, they spell out a list of common sense best practices that can be used by today's project owners and designers. Be advised: these authors don't shy away from the many thorny issues of Design-Build. Nor are they unabashed cheerleaders. They dispassionately explore both the advantages and disadvantages of this system, which must be carefully weighed and evaluated so planners can decide what is best for their projects based on all the important variables, including third-party impacts and environmental/community concerns. You'll find extensive information about procurement, as well as risk allocation issues, which are significantly different from the Design-Bid-Build approach. Team structure, agreements, design development, subsurface exploration, geotechnical reports, construction phase issues, and insurance are also examined in great detail. Design-Build Subsurface Projects is an indispensable resource for owners, engineers, construction managers, contractors, and others involved in the design and construction of subsurface projects. You'll gain a thorough understanding of how and why the system works and where the pitfalls can arise. The authors' years of experience will benefit even the most seasoned of practitioners.