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General Construction Requirements

Owners’ Representative

The UNC-CH Department of Construction Management represents the Owner in all matters pertaining to contract construction. The Department will designate a Construction Manager, who will be the single spokesperson for the University. All official contact, decisions, direction, problem resolution and coordination to/from the University will be through the assigned Construction Manager and the Designer. This does not alleviate any of the Designers’ responsibilities as stated in the General Conditions.

Inspections and Testing

The University will arrange for independent testing agencies to make tests and conduct inspections of work in progress. The contractors will give reasonable notice of construction activities to be tested/inspected so that the testing agency may be present.

In addition to the normally-anticipated inspections, the University intends to conduct the following inspections, which contractors should allow for in their schedules: above-ceiling inspections, pre-final inspections, 100% test of fire protection systems, and final inspections. Any of these inspections which are not completed satisfactorily will be repeated at no cost to the owner and without time extension.

Above-Ceiling Inspections

The above-ceiling inspection will be conducted by the University after above-ceiling systems have been completed and verified by the Designer. The following general guidelines will apply to this inspection:

  1. All above ceiling systems will be completed including, but not limited to, controls, insulation, labeling of systems, wiring, light fixtures, diffusers, ductwork, piping, fire proofing, and sealing of wall penetrations through fire walls.
  2. Framing for hard ceiling will be completed and access door locations will be framed to assure accessibility to control valves, equipment requiring maintenance, etc. Ceiling grid will be in place and equipment (light fixtures, diffusers, etc.) will be in place in the grid.
  3. Under no circumstances will any ceiling area be covered up until this inspection is done by the owner. The contractor shall give the Designer and the University two weeks notice to assure owner personnel is available.

Fire Protection Systems

The installation contractor must conduct a 100% performance test, which shall be ensured by the designer/engineer. When this test is completed and deficiencies corrected, the owner will conduct a 100% test of the system, which shall be scheduled through the University’s Construction Manager. At least three days prior to the owner’s test; the contractor will furnish the completed NFPA Record of Completion, with a printout of the installed database and a floor plan with database information and room numbers. These documents shall be updated and reissued prior to each additional test and final inspection.

Construction Schedule

Tentative dates for interruption of utilities services and traffic disruptions shall be incorporated into the project schedule.  The schedule will show UNC and State inspections, punch list correction, cleanup, and final inspection, and shall anticipate 5-year-average weather delay and the extra restrictions required for University operations as outlined in SGC Paragraph 4 below.

The schedule will also include the time allotted for commissioning the MEP systems. Unless otherwise stipulated in the project construction documents the schedule will indicate 100% commissioning of the MEP systems. The schedule will include all necessary activities and contractor and subcontractor resources to support commissioning, as well as, time and resources for correction of contract required punchlist items generated by the commissioning agent.

Working Hours

The contractor may establish a work schedule of his own choosing. The contractor shall submit to the UNC Construction Manager and to the designer his regular daily work schedule, and shall notify the Construction Manager in advance of any deviations from the schedule. The University reserves the right to limit the contractors’ activities when they conflict with University operations.

For most situations, the University will require the contractor to comply with the Town of Chapel Hill Noise Ordinance.

Extra restrictions will be enforced by the University during certain periods of the year. The contractors must allow for these restrictions in their project schedule. No time extensions will be granted for these restrictions. In general, these periods are:

  1. During examination periods, generally occurring in December and April for two weeks each, and June and August for four days each.
  2. Graduation, generally on a Sunday in mid-May and a Sunday in mid-December
  3. Approximately 15 home basketball games per year
  4. Approximately 7 home football games per year
  5. University Day, October 12
  6. Student move-in/move-out days, generally twice a year for one week each.

Examples of the extra restrictions include, but are not limited to:

  1. During examination periods the contractor will restrict noise-making activities to the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. If the project involves work in or near a residence hall or a building in which an examination is being conducted, the contractor will be required to restrict further those operations which are disturbing to students, to include stopping work if necessary.
  2. Work will not be permitted on Graduation Day, nor the preceding day (Saturday), nor on University Day. Extra cleanup and warning signs and barricades will be provided by the contractor.
  3. Work is normally permitted on the days of sporting events and concerts, but traffic is extremely heavy on those days, and contractors may have difficulty and experience delays getting to and from the job site.
  4. Work is normally permitted on student move-in/move-out days, but traffic is heavier than normal, parking is restricted, and some campus roads are temporarily closed or designated one-way.

Underground Utilities

Each contractor who does excavation work will be responsible for locating underground utilities prior to excavation. The contractor may obtain the services of a commercial utilities locator and/or call the various utility companies who may have lines in the area. In addition, they should notify UNC Facilities Services at least 5 days prior to excavation. The contractor will be responsible for utility interruptions caused by excavation.

The General Statutes of North Carolina requires contractors to notify NOCUTS at least two days but not more than 10 days prior to excavation on a public right of way.

Temporary Interruptions of Utilities and Traffic Movement

Procedures for making temporary disruptions to existing utilities, and roads and pedestrian walks shall be planned well in advance of the work and the work shall be executed in a manner to provide reasonably continuous service throughout the construction period. Connections shall be made only at times approved by the University. For interruption of service in major utility systems, the Contractor must submit to the UNC Construction Manager a step-by-step sequence of operations planned to accomplish the work. Outline must show tentative dates and times of day for shut-off and restoration of services. Upon approval of the planned operations, the Construction Manager will make arrangements with appropriate University personnel for interruption of services.

Road and sidewalk cuts shall be scheduled in advance, and made only after they have been approved by the University. Contractors shall plan and coordinate their work to minimize the duration of such disruptions. Appropriate detours shall be planned, subject to the approval of the University, giving consideration to the handicapped. Warning barricades and signs shall be installed by the contractor, as well as informational signs indicating detours. Neither service disruptions nor excavations may be made until barricades and signs are in place to protect the public. If the nature of the site does not allow barricades to be in place prior to excavation, the barricade materials must be physically present on site before excavation begins, in order that they may be erected as soon as it is possible to do so.

Barricades and signs must meet OSHA, NCDOT, and University approval, and be substantial enough to deter bypassing, vandalizing or theft. In addition to meeting all applicable codes and regulations, signs must be neat and legible at all times. Hand-made signs are not acceptable.

Caution to Bidders: Bidders are cautioned that the University will probably schedule interruption of services at times other than the contractors’ normal working hours and that only designated University personnel are authorized to interrupt services. Frequently, outages are scheduled to reduce disruption of classes and special events.

Contractors are reminded of the presence on campus of handicapped students, staff, and faculty: particularly mobility impaired, visually impaired, and hearing impaired. All barricades, temporary walkways, excavation, and stockpiles of materials shall be formed in such a manner as to accommodate access, adequately warn and prevent injury to this segment of the University population.

Temporary Utilities

The Owner shall directly pay for all temporary and final utility consumption costs throughout the life of the project’s construction and use. Owner will establish any accounts necessary to directly receive bills and shall pay for any metering devices, tap fees, or similar items as necessary. Therefore, any meters shall be listed in the Owner’s name upon establishment of any temporary and permanent utility at the site and the Owner shall pay for consumption costs of utilities such as water, sewer, electricity, steam, chilled water, etc.

Parking and Storage

Parking is extremely limited at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Contractors must confine their parking and storage to that which they can accommodate within the limits of the construction site. There will be no parking spaces provided in the vicinity of the project for construction workers. Contractors are encouraged to locate fringe parking areas and shuttle their workers to and from the job site. If a construction fence has been erected the contractor may allow his employees to park inside the fence.

Parking for large storage trailers is limited to within the construction site.

Cleanliness and Site Maintenance

Campus streets, parking lots, walks and grounds connecting to the project area shall be protected from deposits of mud, sand, stone, litter, or debris in any form, and this protection shall be the responsibility of the Contractors. All mud collected on vehicle wheels must be cleaned off before leaving the construction area. Should any mud or debris collect on the streets from the construction project, this shall be removed immediately before becoming a traffic hazard or being carried into the surrounding buildings.

Where equipment must cross walks, lawns, and other transitional areas used by pedestrian and vehicular traffic, the Contractor shall provide minimum 3/4″ thick plywood protective sheets for equipment to roll over.

The construction site including adjacent campus areas will be kept free of trash, litter or debris at all times. Trash cans/dumpsters shall be emptied and the contents removed from campus before they overflow.

Grass and other vegetation on the construction site shall be trimmed/mowed to maintain a neat appearance. A landscape protection area shall extend to at least the drip line of any trees or shrubs that are to remain. The landscape protection fence shall be installed prior to the initial stage of grading, excavation or tree removal. No storage, access or activity of any kind will be permitted in the landscape protection areas. The Contractor shall give the Designer two (2) weeks notification in advance for the Owner to remove trees and shrubs that will be retained by the Owner for use elsewhere.

Request for Payment

The first sentence only of Article 31a, General Conditions, is revised to read as follows: “Not later than the last day of the month, the contractors shall submit to the Designer a request for payment for work done through the 25th day of the month. The Owner will make payment by the end of the following calendar month, as described in Articles 31 through 33, General Conditions.”

The financing arrangements on some projects require that pay applications from all vendors be submitted simultaneously and only once per calendar month. Therefore, failure to follow the above schedule may result in a contractor not being paid until the next pay application period. The only way to insure timely payment is to submit complete, accurate and timely pay applications with all supporting documents.

Stored Materials

Add the following sentence to Article 31d, General Conditions: “No payment may be made for stored materials which are stored outside the State of North Carolina.”

Selection of Brick or Cast Panel for Exterior Walls

The manufacturers shall present samples to the designer for his selection from which sample patterns are to be erected or shown on the job site, after consultation with the Facilities Planning Office. The Construction Management Department will notify the architect’s representative where to locate these panels. The University Buildings and Grounds Committee will review these panels and make the selection. At the time the brick panels are viewed by the committee, the contractor shall also have available samples of all significant exterior materials, including but not limited to pre-cast stone or limestone, window and door frames, glass and metal panels. The Construction Management Office will notify the designer of the final selection. In the case of cast stone panels, small samples may be submitted for selection purposes.

Completed panels must cure for at least three weeks before they are reviewed by the Building and Grounds and Committee. In addition, three weeks are required to schedule this review. Therefore the panels must be completed by the contractor a minimum of six weeks before the brick selection is needed.

Owner’s Right To Do Work  

Notwithstanding the notification requirements of the General Conditions, Article 28, should the contractor fail to respond within 24 hours, or such other time as may be prescribed by the designer or by the University’s assigned Construction Manager (see paragraph 1 above), to correct a deficiency which the University determines to be endangering trees or other landscaping; or to correct any other defects where time is of the essence to prevent further damage or ensure personal safety; or to correct any impediment to University operations including access by handicapped, fire department, or operational personnel; then the owner may immediately take corrective action to prevent further endangerment or damage. The cost of the work performed by the owner shall be deducted from any amount due or to become due to the contractor, as provided for in GC, Article 28. Verbal notice shall be provided to the contractor’s superintendent or project manager, followed by written confirmation.

Commissioning

Unless otherwise stated in the contract documents the project will include 100% commissioning of the MEP systems. The Owner will provide a third party commissioning agent for the oversight of the commissioning process. See contract documents for detailed commissioning requirements. See paragraph 3 above for scheduling requirements of the contractor for the executing the commissioning work.

Erosion Control Inspections for General Permit NCG010000 – Land Disturbing Activities

Where an erosion permit is required for the project the contractor will keep on file a record of the required inspection reports filled out two times a week (twice because UNC is on 303(d) listed stream) or within 24 hours of a rain event or as the permit requires and provide one copy of each report to the Universities’ EH&S (Geologist) representative (919-962-9752) in addition to the other agencies as the permit may require.

Construction Manager at Risk

The payment of the General Conditions costs to the Construction Manager at Risk will terminate 30 days after project completion and acceptance. During this 30 day period all punchlist items shall be completed and stipulated in Article 25 of the General Conditions of the contract. The time for completion and liquidating damages will be as stipulated in the Form of Construction Manager at Risk Contract and Supplementary General Conditions of the contract.

O&M Manuals

All required O&M manuals and attic stock shall be approved by the designer and submitted to the Owner before final inspection and acceptance of the project. Approved O&M manuals shall be available for use during the commissioning and training for the project.

No Smoking Policy

Contractors working for the University will be required to comply with the University’s No Smoking policy.

Cost of Work

All labor burden by the CM shall be charged at 40% applied to each employees total billable labor cost.

Items that are ordered from and billed to CM’s main office for specific use at the project site shall be approved as valid reimbursable costs and shall be billed to line items in the CM’s general conditions.

Builder’s risk deductibles in the event of a loss on the project, due to no fault of the CM, shall be a reimbursable cost of the work.