MHI Technical Standards Update SHCA Spring Meeting April 12, 2017
Outline • • • • • • • • •
2016 Fall Tender Plan Tri-Party Steering Group Project Management Group Best Value Procurement End Product Specification Work Zones Technical Updates Outlook for 2017 Organizational Changes
2016 Fall Tender Plan 50 45 40 35
4 Projects 6 Projects
30 25 20 15 10 5 0
34 Projects
Deferred Projects Yet to be Tendered Tendered and Awarded
Tri-Party Steering Group • Making progress on closing outstanding contracts • Implementing e-Builder project management software – Used by MHI and consultants – Standardize processes, concepts and workflows • Lead to improved consistency
– Centralized repository of information – Provide reliable and timely information
Project Management Group • Formed in 2015 to improve consistency in contracts and contract administration between 3 Regions • Work to date includes: – Reviewing tender packages for quality and constructability – Assist with claims resolution – Regular discussion of contract admin issues and practices – Clarifying use of EPS, conventional (method spec) or Contractor Supply specifications – Involved in implementation of e-Builder software
Best Value Procurement • All Ministries and Crowns mandated to implement Best Value • Consider factors beyond just price in contract award • Tender documents now include evaluation criteria (GP1200)
Best Value Procurement • Review competitions with close bids • Use criteria in tender documents • Contractor performance on projects is important • Looking at options to further develop Best Value process
End Product Specification • Recent changes: – Increased maximum bonus for compaction to $4 per tonne of asphalt – Trial Lots made optional – Not counting a Job Mix Formula revision that reverts to the approved Asphalt Mix Design as one of the maximum four revisions allowed – Providing a bonus for echelon paving
End Product Specification • Currently in discussion: – Evaluating Alberta method of QA – Increasing Sub-Lot sizes – Broader tolerance for the 71 µm sieve – Averaging MTD for the Lot – Appeal testing – Introducing minimum 90% MTD for compaction – Core handling and chain of custody for core samples
Work Zones Top 5 Hot Line complaints • No advanced warning • Work zone is too long • No workers present • Signs not covered • Work zone not obvious – no zone set up – no lights on equipment
Work Zones Clarifications • Construction Ahead & Construction Ends Signs – For long duration projects (> 1 day ) – Signs warn that normal driving conditions have changed – do not need to be covered
• Work Adjacent to Road
– Additional devices typically required are not mandatory for work adjacent to road way
Work Zones AFADs - Technical Bulletin 703-01 • Certified T. A.S. may elect to use AFADs • Flag person must still be visible and direct traffic, warn of danger, answer questions, etc. • Photo Enforcement only applies when “workers present” – Can still use photo enforcement signs
Work Zones Lane Ends Sign • Typical Plans 10-04-01 & 10-04-02 (Two Lane)
– Previously included Lane Ends sign – Removed as it might misdirected motorist to change lanes, instead of stopping at flagger station
Technical Updates Burial of Construction Material • Required to change existing practice to comply with Environmental Management Protection Act (EMPA) • Changes made to Specification 2100, 2105, 2145, 2160 and 2165 – Disposal of waste is contractor responsibility
• Grace period over - now in effect for 2017 construction season
Technical Updates Seal Coat Projects • Numerous complaints from 2016 work • Piloting new provisions in 2017
– Limiting length of speed reduction to 15 km – No speed reductions over long weekends – Erect message boards 7 days in advance of work and throughout the project – Enhanced project signing
Technical Updates Standard Test Procedures • Ensure more thorough and consistent approach to mix designs and asphalt testing – Updates currently underway:
• 204-08: Preparation of Mix Compaction Samples • 204-10: Marshall Mix Design • 204-28: Correlation of Mechanical Marshall Compaction Hammer • 206-07-01: Specific Gravity – Fine Aggregate • 206-07-02: Specific Gravity – Coarse Aggregate
Technical Updates Tack Coats • Continue to promote proper tack coat use • Focusing on application rates and coverage • For 2017, application rates to be measured and reported • Plan to investigate different and new products that promote fast curing and less tracking • Plan to better enforce proper application rates
Technical Updates GP 1100.9 - Modification of Bids • Currently allows bids to be modified only by hard copy or fax • Propose to allow e-mail modifications as well – In consultation phase
• Electronic submission of bids still not available
Technical Updates Project Administration Manual • Construction Manual is outdated and needs to be revised to reflect current practices, processes and technological improvements • PAM supersedes the Construction Manual • Update log • Alerts sent out quarterly
Technical Updates Marshall Air Voids Standard Practice Bulletin
• Clarifies testing requirements for Marshall air voids during mix design and asphalt production
– Marshall Air Voids must be 3.5% to 4.5% for mix design and job mix formulas – Lot mean during production must be 2.5% to 5.0% – Occasional fluctuations from JMF up to 0.7% are considered normal – Fluctuations 0.7% or more may indicate that the characteristics of the mix have changed and further testing and discussion may be required
Technical Updates Bridge Tenders • Bid splits required within 10 days of award for tenders involving more than 1 bridge • Phase II completion can be as early as June 30 for northern projects • Clarify expectations for bridge construction surveying • Clarify that Mobilization and Mobilization for Pile Driving are separate bid items
– Describe how the partial payments will be handled
Technical Updates Bridge Tenders • Clarify pay adjustments for piling out of tolerance • Asphalt concrete in place:
– Requirements for asphalt mix on bridges to be the same as adjacent roadway – 8000 KN stability for the bridge mix removed – Warm mix additives may be used – 50% manufactured fine requirement remains
• Non-resident contractors PST guarantee bond will change, currently at 5%
Outlook for 2017 • Continue to advance Best Value Procurement • Diligent and consistent contract enforcement – Contract specifications – Completion dates – Involve Sureties
• Fully implement e-Builder project management software • Review and update Liquidated Damages and Site Occupancy rates • Continue to close outstanding contracts
Organizational Updates • Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure – Nithi Govindasamy: Retirement – Blair Wagar: Acting Deputy Minister
• Corporate Services Division
– Ashley McDonald: Maternity Leave – Lesley Clark: Acting Manager
Organizational Updates • Design and Innovation Division
Northern Region – Alison Lara: moved to Operations – Sylvia Marshall: joined as senior project manager – Ziaur Rahman: project manager (moved from SR) Central Region – Tracy Danielson: returns as D & C Director – Tracey Leibel: returns as a senior project manager – Luke Warkentin: joined as project manager
Organizational Updates • Design and Innovation Division
Southern Region – Matthew Stephenson: joined D & C section as senior project manager – Kim Bonneau: joined as senior project manager – Behrooz Razban: has left the Ministry Technical Standards & Major Projects Branches – Brodie Thompson: has left the Ministry