Prep of Specs

Question 1

These are detailed descriptions of the requirements, characteristics, and quality standards that must be met by goods, services, or work provided under the contract.

Answer 1

Specifications

Question 2

Proper specifications provide a _______________ of the nature of the machinery, supplies, or material to be furnished or work to be done under a contract.

Answer 2

clear understanding

Question 3

Bidders get their information on the ________ and _______________ they will be called upon to do if this bid is accepted.

Answer 3

Nature, amount of work

Question 4

CHARACTERISTICS OF SPECIFICATIONS

Answer 4

Clear and fair
Definite or not ambiguous
Determinate
Not arbitrary
Focused on essential and practical requirements rather than the demonstration of the engineer’s knowledge

Question 5

CONSIDERATIONS IN PREPARING SPECIFICATIONS

Answer 5

Use of English
Clearness
Brevity
Indefinite Specifications
Indeterminate Specifications
Ambiguous Specifications
Arbitrary Specifications
Unfair Specifications
Unnecessary Specifications
Specifications for Criticism

Question 6

Language must be clear, accurate, and exact.

The ___________ terms or __________ common to trade to which the specifications apply may be used but they must be understood and used correctly.

Answer 6

Technical, vernacular

Question 7

Reports and papers aim to achieve _______ or a harmonious combination of words.

Answer 7

Euphony

Question 8

Reports and papers avoid _________ through the use of synonyms.

Answer 8

Repetition

Question 9

In Contracts and Specifications,

Words having the____________ should be used as frequently as necessary.

Answer 9

same exact meaning

Question 10

In Contracts and Specifications

Repetition is_________ as long as it enhances clarity and does
not create confusion.

Answer 10

acceptable

Question 11

In Ordinary Conversations and Other Writings,

It may allow some degree of__________.

Answer 11

inaccuracy

Question 12

In Contracts and Specifications,

It must be__________. It must be defined to bring out the limited meaning in which they are used.

Answer 12

Precise

Question 13

The meaning of every term should be _________ because it may have other than the meaning which is intended to convey.

Answer 13

Analyzed

Question 14

The ____________ in plans and specifications protects both the owner and contractor.

Answer 14

Clearness

Question 15

Specifications should be organized________ with separate paragraphs for each element.

Answer 15

logically

Question 16

Descriptions of elements must be as ______ and consistent with a complete and exact description.

Specifications should not serve as a showcase for the engineer’s expertise but should focus on ________ characteristics for desired results.

Answer 16

brief, essential

Question 17

Any paragraph, sentence, or word that can be omitted without material effect on the complete understanding of the subject should be ________ .

Answer 17

omitted

Question 18

It is caused by carelessness and ignorance of the detailed requirements, dishonest or vicious intent.

Answer 18

Indefinite specifications

Question 19

These ______ specifications may be inserted to allow for later interpretation by the engineer, leading to uncertainty and potential cost variations.

Answer 19

vague

Question 20

In some cases, specifications are drawn so ___________ that bidders can’t determine requirements without inside information.

Answer 20

ambiguously

Question 21

It is caused by uncertainty in the amount of the necessary requirements.

Answer 21

INDETERMINATE SPECIFICATIONS

Question 22

These are common when a small amount of material or work is expected in a contract.

Answer 22

INDETERMINATE SPECIFICATIONS

Question 23

Contractors have a right to know ___________________ before bidding, and they shouldn’t be subject to the uncertain directives of possibly unknown and inexperienced engineers.

Answer 23

exact requirements

Question 24

Examples of_________________ include specifying arch masonry, stone thickness, and concrete proportions based on the engineer’s discretion.

Answer 24

objectionable practices

Question 25

______________________ requirements are always ambiguous and are uncertain as to what is actually desired, and what will actually be required by the engineer.

Answer 25

Unnecessary or unreasonable

Question 26

Responsible contractors tend to _______ their prices for work done under such specifications, which______ project costs.

Answer 26

increase, raises

Question 27

Specifications that cannot be reasonably enforced, except under specific circumstances, should be __________ because they often have to be ignored unless there’s an absolute need for their enforcement.

Answer 27

eliminated

Question 28

This involves the engineer attempting to exercise unnecessary and arbitrary control over any part of the work.

Answer 28

ARBITRARY SPECIFICATIONS

Question 29

Such specifications can relieve the contractor of their responsibilities, and the engineer should not take over the__________ of management.

Answer 29

prerogatives

Question 30

The excessive and arbitrary authority given to the engineer may result in them assuming responsibilities that should belong to the_______.

Answer 30

contractor

Question 31

In such cases, the contractor might claim that they acted as an______ of the engineer’s client, rather than an independent contractor, and, therefore, they should not be held_____ for accidents or damages.

Answer 31

agent, liable

Question 32

Unfair specifications include clauses that seem intended to protect the client but actually ______________.

Answer 32

hinder the contractor with unwarranted restrictions

Question 33

These ______________ limit competition and make the contracting parties doubt the good faith of the specification writer, raising suspicions about the treatment they might receive if awarded the contract.

Answer 33

unfair restrictions

Question 34

______________________ should be eliminated from contracts as they serve no legitimate purpose.

Answer 34

Unfair specifications

Question 35

While it’s reasonable to restrict the assignment of contracts to maintain control, the restrictions should allow the contractor to _____________________.

Answer 35

finance their work adequately

Question 36

___________ restrictions, like the ability to cancel a contract if compensation is assigned or initiating cancellation due to bankruptcy or legal actions against the contractor, can be ________________

Answer 36

Excessive, oppressive and unfair.

Question 37

Unfair specifications may attempt to force the contractor to provide necessary materials or labor at no extra cost when the trench bottom is not firm, which can lead to

Answer 37

high bids and increased expenses.

Question 38

It is unfair to expect the contractor to bear the ________________ and additional work determined by the engineer without justification

Answer 38

full risk of uncertain conditions

Question 39

An unfair clause, on the other hand, permits the engineer to remove parts of the work at any time without clear justification, and the contractor is required to cover the ____________, which can result in unnecessary expenses and unfair treatment.

Answer 39

restoration costs

Question 40

In specifications for materials, it’s generally advisable to __________________ that reflect the average qualities of a good material within the desired class.

Answer 40

set requirements

Question 41

Unnecessarily severe, unusual, or extravagant requirements should be avoided, as they can increase expenses, deter responsible contractors, hinder the execution of work, and potentially lead to ___________ that may embarrass the specification writer.

Answer 41

revisions

Question 42

Setting such severe requirements is often _______________ and seldom, if ever, essential. Requirements for good average materials are more enforceable, and any additional safety measures should ideally be achieved through improved design.

Answer 42

unnecessary

Question 43

The student should_______ and______
specifications to ensure clearness, and fairness.

Answer 43

critique, rewrite

Question 44

Elements to Evaluate:

Answer 44

Obscurity
Verbosity
Lack of clarity
Indefiniteness
Ambiguity
Arbitrariness
Unfairness