Engineering

  • Preliminary Engineering Report

Common Preapplication:  In Nebraska, the EPA's State Revolving Loan Fund, HUD's Community Development Block Grant and USDA's Water and Waste Disposal Loans/Grants have a common preapplication process.  A copy of the Preapplication and Preliminary Engineering Report Guide are found at this link.

Life Cycle Analysis Guide:  How to complete life cycle analysis to compare alternatives.

 

  • Engineering Contracts

There are two preapproved engineering agreements available.  USDA has worked with the Engineers Joint Contract Document Council (EJCDC) to develop a set of documents with Federal requirements included.  Please use the EJCDC 2002 or EJCDC 2008 engineering agreements.  Otherwise contact the State Engineer for more information.

 

EJCDC E-500 (2008):  This agreement is also acceptable for Water and Wastewater Disposal projects.  It shall be used in accordance with RD Bulletin 1780.

RD Bulletin 1780-26 (PDF):  Guide on using the EJCDC E-500

RD Bulletin 1780-26 (WORD):  Guide on using the EJCDC E-500

EJCDC E-510 (2002):  This agreement is acceptable however, it is out of print and can only be used if purchased prior to 2008.

RD Bulletin 1780-26 (2002):  Guide on using the E-510.

 

  • Property Docket

Property Docket Guide:  What is required to complete the property docket.  This must be completed after obligation and before bidding.

RD 442-20:  Property Docket Form, Right-of-Way Easement-Sample Easement.

RD 442-21:  Property Docket Form, Right-of-Way Certificate-Owner's Responsibility.

RD 442-22:  Property Docket Form, Opinion of Counsel Relative to Rights-of-Way-Attorney's Responsibility.

RD 1927-09:  Property Docket Form, Preliminary Title Opinion-Attorney's Responsibility.

RD 1927-10:  Property Docket Form, Final Title Opinion-Attorney's Responsibility

 

  • Design Standards

RD Instructions 1780:  Design standards and project development regulations are in Section 57.  Plans and specifications shall be submitted to the USDA Rural Development Engineer for review of these standards.

RD Instruction 1792:  To meet seismic requirements all buildings must be designed according to 1997 Uniform Building Code or the 1995 ASCE 7 Standard.  This should be noted on the front sheet of the plans or use Form 1792-C NE.

 

  • Water and Waste Disposal Construction Contracts

USDA Rural Development is required to have the Office of General Counsel (OGC) approve all construction contracts.  There are three OGC preapproved contracts.

 

1.  Engineers Joint Contract Document Council (EJCDC) 2002 Funding Agency Edition and 2008 Standard Versions are acceptable:

Guides are available for consultants on how to use the EJCDC construction contract documents.  The FA edition can be purchased from the organizations mentioned at this link.  All the following EJCDC forms should be purchased and used according to the Bulletin's Attachments.  There are some forms unique to USDA Rural Development, please download them from the links that follow:

 

RD Bulletin 1780-26 (2008) and RD Bulletin 1780-26 (2002)

Advertise for Bids:  Follow Bulletin's Attachment

Instructions to Bidders:  EJCDC C-200(02) or Attachment F

Bid Form:  EJCDC C-410(02) or Attachment G

Bid Bond:  EJCDC C-430(02)  or C-430(07)

Notice of Award:  C-510(02) or C-510(07)

Agreement:  EJCDC 1910-8-A-1-FA(97) or C-521(02) or C-520(07)

Performance Bond:  EJCDC C-610(02) or C-610(07)

Payment Bond:  EJCDC C-615(02) or C-615(07)

Notice to Proceed:  EJCDC C-550(02) or C-550(07)

Equal Opportunity Employment:  Certification that the contractor is in compliance with EEO laws for contracts over $10,000.

Form AD 1048:  Certification that the contractor is not debarred from doing federal projects over $25,000.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities:  Certification that lobbying activities of the contractor are legal for contracts over $100,000.

General Conditions:  EJCDC C-710(02) or C-700(07)

Supplemental General Conditions:  EJCDC C-800(02) or Attachment H

Certificate of Owner's Attorney:  EJCDC C-710(02) Exhibit GC-A or See Attachment H

Pay Estimate:  EJCDC C-620(02) or C-620(07)

Change Order:  EJCDC C-941(02) or C-941(07)

Construction Sign:  This is the Temporary construction sign layout.

 

2.  USDA Rural Development 1924-6 Short Form Construction Contract

Permission from the USDA Rural Development Engineer must be obtained before using this short form.  These are for contracts under $100,000.

 

Agreement and General Conditions:  Form RD 1924-06

Contractor's Lien Waiver:  Form RD 1924-09

Performance and Payment Bonds:  Attachment B to Form RD 1924-06

Subcontractor's Lien Waiver:  Form RD 1924-10

Supplemental Conditions:  Attachment A to Form RD 1924-06

Equal Opportunity Employment:  Form RD 400-6 required if contract is over $10,000.

Debarment:  Form AD-1048 required if contract is over $25,000.

 

  • Final Phases of Project

 

Any remaining funds can be applied to other needs in some cases.  However, the funds need to be spent within 120 days of the final inspection.  We recommend a proposal to spend remaining funds be discussed at the pre-final inspection and requested prior to final inspection.  Construction should be done within 120 days.  Guidance can be found at NE AN 2409-Unused Project Funds for Water and Wastewater Projects.  RUS Instruction 1780.

 

Contact the State Engineer.