Collection Systems & Emerg Repairs, addenda 2 issued - MASSDOT required

LOWELL REGIONAL WASTEWATER UTILITY
COLLECTION SYSTEMS CONSTRUCTION & EMERGENCY REPAIRS
SPECIFICATIONS
PART I
GENERAL
SCOPE OF WORK
a. The work under this contract consists of construction of new manholes and catch basins,
installation of various sizes of pipe, repair of existing pipes and adjusting and remodeling
catch basins and manholes at various locations in the City of Lowell ("City"), Massachusetts,
in accordance with Specifications prepared by the Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility
("Owner") for a period from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029.
b. Work under this item shall include all necessary labor, equipment, materials, etc., necessary
to complete the construction of new manholes and catch basins, installation of various sizes
of pipe, repair of pipes and adjusting and remodeling catch basins and manholes at various
locations in the City, in a workmanlike manner.
c. Work performed under this contract shall be considered scheduled or emergency, the City
shall decide what work is considered scheduled and what work is considered emergency.
d. Bidder agrees to perform all work described in the specifications and shown on plans for the
unit prices defined in the bid sheet.
SUBMITTALS
The bid package shall include:
a. Bidder's Representations and Certifications including required documents and submittals
specified
b. Completed Bid Sheet
c. Certification of Compliance
For the purpose of governing the work to be done under this Contract, the Owner has adopted
as its Standard Specifications format the "Standard Specifications for Highways and Bridges"
published by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Transportation, dated 2025,
including the Supplemental Specifications dated 2025 and any addenda thereto, also those
ordinance that pertain to construction of new manholes and catch basins, installation of various
sizes of pipe and adjusting and remodeling catch basins and manholes in the City Code.
The Standard Specifications shall apply as if reprinted herein, except as modified by the following
Supplement to Standards and further by the Special Provisions in Part II and the Provisions in Part
III.

In the case of conflict between these two documents, the Supplement to Standards, the Special
Provisions of Parts of II and III shall govern.
STANDARD SUPPLEMENT TO PART I
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
Delete the following: "Commission, Commonwealth, Department, and Party of the First Part".
Insert the following: "Owner.... City of Lowell"
THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS ARE REVISED:
1.19 "Engineer" Delete description and insert: "The Engineer" shall mean the engineer
engaged by the Owner for the general supervision of the project".
Wherever in the specifications the following words or terms appear, they shall be held to have
the following meanings unless the context requires otherwise:
"Commonwealth of Massachusetts", "Commonwealth", "Party of the First Part", and Contracting
Agency" shall mean the City of Lowell.
"Department of Highways", "Department of Transportation" and "Department" shall mean
"Engineer".
SECTION 2.00 PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS 2.01 Proposal Forms and Plans
Delete Section A entirely and insert the following: QUALIFICATIONS OF BIDDER: MASS-DOT
Qualified The owner may make such investigations as is deemed necessary to determine the
ability of the bidder to perform the work, and the bidder shall furnish to the owner all such
information and data for this purpose as the owner may request. The owner reserves the right
to reject any bid if evidence submitted by, or investigation of, such bidder fails to satisfy the
owner that such bidder is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the Contract and to
complete the work contemplated therein. The owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids if
it would be in the public interest to do so. A proposal which includes for any item a bid that is
abnormally low or high may be rejected as unbalanced. The investigations of a bidder will seek
to determine whether the organization is adequate in size and experience and whether available
equipment and financial resources are adequate to assure the owner that the work will be
completed at a rate consistent with the completion date set forth in the proposal. The amount
of other work to which the bidder is committed will also be a consideration in establishing that a
contractor is a "responsible and eligible bidder" in conformity with the requirements of the
contract. Delete Section B entirely and insert the following: Plans, specifications and other
contract documents will be available to bidders at the Office of the Lowell Regional Wastewater
Utility

SECTION 2.00 PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS
2.01 Proposal Forms and Plans:
Delete Section A entirely and insert the following:
QUALIFICATIONS OF BIDDER:
MASS-DOT Qualified
The owner may make such investigations as is deemed necessary to determine the ability of the
bidder to perform the work, and the bidder shall furnish to the owner all such information and
data for this purpose as the owner may request. The owner reserves the right to reject any bid if
evidence submitted by, or investigation of, such bidder fails to satisfy the owner that such bidder
is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the Contract and to complete the work
contemplated therein. The owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids if it would be in the
public interest to do so. A proposal which includes for any item a bid that is abnormally low or
high may be rejected as unbalanced.
The investigations of a bidder will seek to determine whether the organization is adequate in size
and experience and whether available equipment and financial resources are adequate to assure
the owner that the work will be completed at a rate consistent with the completion date set forth
in the proposal. The amount of other work to which the bidder is committed will also be a
consideration in establishing that a contractor is a "responsible and eligible bidder" in conformity
with the requirements of the contract.
Delete Section B entirely and insert the following:
Plans, specifications and other contract documents will be available to bidders at the Office of
the Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility.
SECTION 9.00 MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT:
9.04 PARTIAL PAYMENTS:
In lines 1 and 8, delete the word "bi-weekly", and insert the word "monthly". In lines 7 and 8,
delete the words "and claims filed pursuant to Chapter 149, Section 29, and Chapter 30, Sections
39A and F".

PART II
SPECIAL PROVISIONS
For the purpose of governing the work to be done under this Contract, the Owner has adopted
as its Standard Specifications format the "Standard Specifications for Highways and Bridges"
published by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Transportation, dated 2025,
including the Supplemental Specifications dated 2025.
The Standard Specifications shall apply as if reprinted herein, except as modified by the following
Supplement to Standards and further by the Special Provisions in Part II and the Provisions in Part
III.
In the case of conflict between these two documents, the Supplement to Standards, the Special
Provisions of Parts II and III shall govern.
1. COMMENCEMENT AND COMPLETION:
The Contractor shall receive the first signature from the City Engineer for the City permitting
process within 4 business days of the date specified in a written Notice to Proceed. Construction
activities shall commence within 7 business days from receiving the last signature
(DPW/Engineering), which is full execution in the City permitting process. On Emergency basis,
work related to all ITEMs XXX.XXe other items with applicable suffix 'e' shall commence within 4
hours of Notice. Work, unless it is an Emergency, shall be done on weekdays, Monday through
Friday, and be vigorously pursued until completed. The City shall decide what work is considered
scheduled, and what work is considered emergency
2. SAFETY PROCEDURES:
The Contractor shall comply with all applicable state and federal safety guidelines, including
confined space entry, restricted space entry, and all other safety procedures. Adequate lighting
and safety signing shall be maintained throughout the project.
3. EXECUTION OF WORK
a. Before beginning any work, the contractor shall obtain all necessary permits and discuss fully
with the Engineer the schedule and manner of work. The operating procedures shall comply
with the requirements of the Engineer.
b. The Contractor shall submit a temporary traffic control plan to obtain a street opening permit.
The Owner shall schedule and pay for police details when necessary.
c. The Contractor must comply with all terms set forth by the issued street opening permit.
d. The Contractor shall attach field notes, sketches, and weigh station receipts with all invoices.

e. If the work performed is assessed to not meet the standards outlined within this document
the Contractor shall be liable to perform the work to the appropriate standards without any
additional costs to the City within 7 business days of notice.
f. Work completed must comply with "Trench, Roadway, and Sidewalk Repair Requirements"
published August 2019 and any amendments thereto.
4. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
a. The Owner will assess liquidated damages of $500/day from the eighth business day, and
each business day beyond, the date the Contractor is not onsite from receiving the last
signature (DPW/Engineering) in the City permitting process.
b. The Owner will assess liquidated damages of $500/day from the eighth business day, and
each business day beyond, for work described in Part 2 Section 3(E).
c. The Owner will assess liquidated damages of $250/day from the fifth business day, and each
business day beyond, the date the Contractor does not receive the first signature from the
City Engineer for the City permitting process of the date specified in a written Notice to
Proceed.
d. The Contractor can appeal liquidated damages by documenting any delays caused by the City
that prevents them from being onsite.
5. DISPOSAL OF MATERIAL
a. The Contractor shall not dispose of any material on the Owner's property or on land
adjacent to the Owner's property without written authorization from the Utility and receipt
of all required City, state, and federal permits. All testing, handling, storage, transportation,
and disposal of materials generated by the Work, including soil piles, shall be performed in
accordance with applicable MassDEP regulations, including 310 CMR 19.000 Solid Waste
Management and 310 CMR 40.000 Massachusetts Contingency Plan, and applicable U.S.
EPA regulations, including RCRA 40 C.F.R. Parts 239 through 282. Disposal shall be at
facilities properly permitted to accept the material. The City shall be charged at cost for
disposal, with a markup not to exceed five percent (5%). Attention of the Contractor is
directed to Section 4.10 of the Standard Specifications regarding final cleanup of the Work.
b. The contractor shall be responsible for providing and maintaining all documentation related
to the testing, handling, transportation, and disposal of materials removed from the project
site, including laboratory test results, permits, haul manifests, and disposal receipts, and
shall submit such documentation to the Owner upon request and prior to final acceptance
of the work.

6. ASBESTOS HANDLING AND REMOVAL
a. The contractor shall assume responsibility for the handling, testing, abatement, removal,
transportation, and disposal of any asbestos-containing materials encountered during the
work. All asbestos-related activities shall be performed in strict compliance with applicable
federal, state, and local regulations, including but not limited to the Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), Massachusetts Department of Labor
Standards (DLS), and MassDOT requirements.
b. The contractor shall ensure that all asbestos work is performed by properly licensed and
certified personnel, or by a duly licensed asbestos abatement contractor, in accordance with
Massachusetts regulations (310 CMR 7.15, 454 CMR 28.00, and all applicable OSHA
standards). All required notifications, permits, air monitoring, and disposal documentation
shall be the sole responsibility of the contractor.
c. No asbestos-containing materials shall be disturbed, removed, or disposed of without proper
authorization, permits, and regulatory approvals. Upon discovery of asbestos-containing
materials, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Lowell Wastewater Engineer. All costs
associated with asbestos testing, abatement, handling, removal, transportation, and disposal
shall be included in the Contract. The City shall be charged at cost for asbestos-related work,
with a markup not to exceed five percent (5%). No additional compensation beyond cost plus
the allowable markup shall be permitted.
d. The contractor shall be responsible for providing and maintaining all documentation
associated with asbestos identification, testing, abatement, handling, removal,
transportation, and disposal, including regulatory notifications, permits, worker
certifications, air monitoring results, waste shipment records, and disposal documentation,
and submit such documentation to the Owner upon request and prior to final acceptance of
the work.
7. DISTURBANCES
The committing of nuisances on the premises of the Owner and adjacent property shall be
rigorously prohibited and adequate steps taken to prevent it.
8. RESTRICTIONS AS TO USE OF SITE
The Contractor shall conduct his operations in such a manner as to cause no unnecessary
obstruction to the free passage of the vehicular traffic at all times in the vicinity of the
construction.
9. ADJACENT AND CONCURRENT CONTRACTS
The Contractor's attention is directed to Section 5.06 of the Standard Specifications.

10. NOTICE OF OWNERS OF UTILITIES
a. Before the Contractor begins any work or operations which might damage any subsurface
structures, he shall carefully locate all such structures and conduct his operations so as to
avoid any damage to them.
b. If the contractor wishes to have any utilities temporarily relocated for the Contractors own
convenience, other than contemplated by the City, the Contractor shall make the necessary
arrangement with the owners and reimburse them at the Contractors own expense for the
cost of work.
c. The Contractor shall serve written notice to, as listed below, all public service corporations or
officials concerned with or having charge of public or privately owned utilities at least one
week in advance of the beginning of operation. The Contractor shall file at the same time, a
copy of such notice with the owner.
Lowell Water Utility 978-674-4240
Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility 978-674-4248
Lowell Engineering Department 978-674-4070
National Grid Gas 800-322-3223
National Grid Electric 800-322-3223
Verizon Telephone 877-686-7007
Comcast 888-344-7233
Lowell Fire Alarm/Electrician 978-674-4114
11. SALES TAX
Materials and equipment purchased for permanent installation in this project will be exempt
from the Massachusetts Sales and User Tax. The exemption certificate number will be furnished
by the Contractor. Each bidder shall take this exemption into account in calculating the bid for
the work.

PART III
CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
The Standard Specifications referred to herein is the book entitled "Standard Specifications for
Highways and Bridges" published by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of
Transportation, dated 2020, including the "Materials Specifications".
For the purpose of governing the work to be done under this contract, the Owner has adopted
as its Standard Specifications format the "Standard Specifications for Highways and Bridges"
published by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Transportation, dated 2020.
This Standard Specifications shall apply as if reprinted herein, except as modified by the following
Technical Specifications.
In case of conflict between these documents, the Technical Specifications shall prevail.
A Trench Detail for this contract has been included in Appendix A. The detail shows the City of
Lowell requirements for any trench excavation within City streets.
ITEM 140.25 CLASS B ROCK EXCAVATION
CUBIC YARD
Work under this item shall conform to Section 140.25 of the Standard Specifications, excavation
of cobble stone and cement base shall be included for payment under this item.
ITEM 140.23 CLASS B TRENCH EXCAVATION
CUBIC YARD
Payment for work under this item shall include only excavation ordered by the engineer beyond
the limits shown on the drawings and shall not be governed by the five foot maximum depth
specified in Subsection 140.23.
ITEM 150 ORDINARY BORROW
CUBIC YARD
Work under this item shall consist of placing and compacting ordinary borrow in place of
unsuitable material found in trench excavation. Ordinary borrow shall conform to the
requirements of materials section M1.01.0 of the Standard Specifications.

ITEM 151.2 PROCESS GRAVEL FOR BACKFILLING STRUCTURES AND PIPES
CUBIC YARD
Work under this item shall consist of placing and compacting process gravel conforming to
materials section M1.03.1 of the Standard Specifications in the roadway or other areas
designated by the Owner. All trench compactions must be done to the Engineer's satisfaction
and in accordance with City of Lowell requirements.
ITEM 156 CRUSHED STONE FOR DRAINAGE TON
Work under this item shall consist of placing crushed stone as directed by the owner for trench
stabilization and drainage. Payment for crushed stone required for pipe bedding shall not be paid
for under this item as it is to be included in the various pipe items.
ITEM 191.6 TEST PIT HOUR
Work under this item shall conform to Section 190.73 of the Standard Specifications, test pits
performed through pavement shall be included for payment under this item.
ITEM 460 PERMANENT HOT MIX ASPHALT TON
ITEM 472 TEMPORARY HOT MIX ASPHALT FOR MISCELLANEOUS WORK TON
Work under this item shall be done in conformance with the relevant provisions of Section 460
of the Standard Specifications. Temporary hot mix asphalt shall consist of a twelve-inch (12")
minimum gravel base on thoroughly compacted subgrade, surfaced with a two-inch (2") course
of hot mix asphalt. A two-inch (2") course of an approved cold bituminous mix shall be used when
hot mix is not available.
Permanent pavement shall not be placed until a sufficient time interval has elapsed, in the
opinion of the Engineer, to allow complete settlement of the fill.
Permanent road pavement shall consist of a twelve inch (12") minimum gravel base on the
roughly compacted subgrade, surfaced with two courses of hot mix asphalt (2-1/2" base course,
1-1/2 top course). When paving over cobblestone roads permanent pavement shall consist of
three courses of hot mix asphalt (Two 212" binder courses, 2" top course).
Temporary pavement of excavated locations to be completed on a weekly basis unless otherwise
approved by the City Engineer. Contractor shall bring excavated areas to grade with gravel in the
interim until temporary pavement is installed.
Temporary pavement shall be removed as necessary to provide depth required for permanent
pavement. Payment for removal of temporary pavement shall be included in the price bid for
Item 472.

Where gravel base has been previously placed for temporary pavement, no additional base is
needed for the permanent pavement, except that required to bring uneven areas up to required
grade.
Temporary Bituminous Concrete Pavement and Permanent Bituminous Concrete Pavement shall
be paid at the unit contract price per ton. See Appendix A.
THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING ANY SETTLEMENTS IN THE
PAVEMENT AT THE CONTRACTORS EXPENSE.
PAYMENT LIMITS FOR PAVING ARE SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS. ANY PAVEMENT BEYOND
THESE LIMITS DISTURBED BY THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE REPLACED AT THE CONTRACTORS
EXPENSE.
ITEM 476 CEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENT
CUBIC YARD
ITEM COL.1 CLASS A CEMENT CONCRETE
CUBIC YARD
Work under this item shall be done in conformance with the relevant provisions of Section 476
of the Standard Specifications. Class A Cement Concrete shall conform to the specified
requirements of the materials Section M4.05.5 of the Standard Specifications.
A Cement Concrete shall be used as ordered by the Engineer and shall be paid for at the unit
contract price per cubic yard. See Appendix A.
ITEM COL.2 CONTROL DENSITY FILL (CDF) CUBIC YARD
The CDF shall flow under and around the pipe, conduit, facility, or bedding material providing
uniform support without leaving voids. CDF shall be discharged from the mixer by a reasonable
means into the trench area to be filled. Filling operations shall proceed simultaneously on both
sides of the pipe, conduit or facility so that the two fills are kept at approximately the same
elevation at all times. An external load shall be applied to the pipe or conduit, sufficient to hold
it in place before filling.
The trench in all cases shall be filled to the bottom of the existing pavement to provide space for
the pavement restoration. CDF will be used under the City's digression and shall conform to the
requirements of materials section M4.08.0 Type 2E of the Standard Specifications.