Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide Division 1 General Special Provisions (GSPs), bidding/contracting forms, and best practices, to help Local Agencies bid and administer public works projects when using the WSDOT/APWA Standard Specifications as a base.  To do that, we:

• Learn ­– Network and gather information on Local Agency current practices, concerns, and needs; current public works procurement and administration issues; and current and pending related laws and regulations.
• Develop tools – Develop, write, and publish GSPs that complement Division 1 of the Standard Specifications; select bidding and contracting forms, information, and checklists; and select Best Practices.  We also pursue approval of these tools for use on FHWA-funded projects.
• Share and teach – Share pertinent and timely information and promote discussion through webinars, CAEC workshops, APWA Conference sessions, or other means.

Please contact us!  Email or call a committee co-chair with questions, comments and ideas for Local Agency GSPs, or ask to be added to our email list.

Most Recent Meeting Notes

Local Agency Bidding/Contracting Forms and Boilerplate

Key Committee Contributions, Training, and Outreach

•  CASC/MRSC - Construction Bid Documents Potpourri, September 2012
  • Bid Documents Potpourri Slides
  • Bid Preference Statement
  • Additional Insured Endorsement Choices Matrix
  • APWA letter to WSDOT re: Data Files Provided to Bidders- Concerns, January 15, 2008

Links & Resources

APWA GSPs

• Local Agency GSPs - These are the GSPs themselves, including narrative on how and when to use.
• Revisions Log on GSP website, with dates and synopses of each new or revised APWA GSP.
• APWA GSP FAQs, including history, benefit to your agency, and how to contribute ideas.

Buy America  (Selected available information, not necessarily complete or up to date)

• Federal Law and Regulations – 23 CFR 635.410 provides FHWA’s regulatory policy regarding Buy America, and 23 CFR 645 has information related to utility relocations, adjustments, and reimbursement.
• FHWA Q & A on Buy America -Issues to Consider for Utility Work on Projects; Questions & Answers ; and Q and A for Federal-aid Program 

CPARB -  Capital Projects Advisory Review Board

• Suggested Guidelines for Bidder Responsibilities, developed by CPARB (Capital Projects Advisory Review Board), updated October 10, 2019.
• Capital Projects Advisory Review Board website - responsible for developing and monitoring Supplemental Bidder Criteria Guidelines, approving Local Agency use of Design-Build and GC/CM contracts, among other things.

Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC)

• Main Website
• The City Bidding Book and the County Bidding Book are great resources on types of Public Works contracts, rules for bidding and award, etc. that can be found on the MRSC Publications site.
• Sample Documents - MRSC posts sample documents submitted by Local Agencies such as:  contracts, bidding and contracting forms, franchise agreements, etc. 
• We encourage Local Agencies to send examples to MRSC Librarian Gabrielle Nicas for posting.

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)

• Main site
• Current WSDOT/APWA Standard Specifications and GSPs -
  • Click on the link at the top of the page to sign up for a ListServ to be notified of updates to the Standard Specifications, GSPs, and PS&E Word Program
  • This page has links to the current Standard Specification Book page, the GSPs by Division, and the Local Agency GSPs (APWA) page.
  • Here is also where you can download the PSE Word program and be trained in its use
• WSDOT GSPs - for viewing as a PDF, or for download to insert in Specifications.
• Prior Standard Specifications versions - scroll down on the page to find these.
• Local Programs (formerly H&LP) - administers FHWA-funded projects and assists Local Agencies.
• Local Agency Guidelines - LAG Manual (see especially Chapters 44.2 and 46)
• AGC/WSDOT Administrative Team Meeting Notes 
• Washington State Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Center - lists topical training opportunities, many of which are open to Local Agencies and their consultants.

Wage Rates

Note: We suggest inserting actual State wage rates into the Bid Documents, rather than just a weblink – to reduce later confusion and argument.  Remember to also include the Benefit Code Key, and any wage rate Supplements.  If the project has federal funding, you must include actual Davis Bacon rates (not just reference).

• WA State Wage Rates
• Federal Wage Information

Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)

• National - Note: This site also has user forums anyone can participate in, where anyone can chat with others about burning issues (maybe only a member can start one). 
• CSI MasterFormat - may require CSI membership to access

Blogs

• Mike Purdy's blog
• Ahlers Cressman & Sleight Construction Law Blog