COMBINED SYNOPSIS & SOLICITATION · characteristics, in accordance with the specified requirements...
Transcript of COMBINED SYNOPSIS & SOLICITATION · characteristics, in accordance with the specified requirements...
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
COMBINED SYNOPSIS & SOLICITATION
United States Embassy San Jose, Costa Rica
SVA HANGAR ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY & STORM WATER WORKS AT BASE 2
SOLICITATION NO. PR9467432
Issued by:
Embassy of the United States of America
General Services Office
Avenida 0 Calle 120
Pavas, San José
Costa Rica 0920-1200
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
PR9467432
1. BACKGROUND
The Embassy of the United States of America is heading a project consisting in the
improvement of the electrical and mechanical structure (storm water system) for a newly
constructed hangar, located in Base 2, Juan Santamaría Airport, Alajuela, Costa Rica,
which will be obtained through the construction of the following structures. The different
systems are enlisted separately in this section; however, the Contractor shall ensure both
the correct functioning of each system and the functioning compatibility between the
systems, to ensure a fully functional project and client’s satisfaction.
The project shall be conducted in accordance with the drawings and specifications
detailed in this document. The Contractor shall perform the following work:
2 Specific Task
2.1 Preliminary Works Preliminary
Works includes the installation of provisional facilities for workers according to the
specified in the following sections. Also, shall include a technical revision of all designs,
in order to ensure the fulfillment of all stablished requirements. The Contractor will be
responsible of obtaining the construction permissions from the appropriate authorities,
including Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y Arquitectos (CFIA). Additionally, the
Contractor will provide qualified technical staff which will develop the project, according
to national regulations, and using as base the plans and technical specification’s
document.
2.2 Electrical System
The Contractor shall build an electrical system which must fulfill the requirements
stablished in plans and technical specifications document. This job will be done under the
strict supervision of a certified professional (electrical engineer). The system must fulfill
national and international norms, such as the defined by National Electrical Code (NEC)
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
and National Fire Proof Association (NFPA). This work includes the installation of a new
power supply from the existing electrical panel located near the main entrance to Base 2
site, as indicated in sheet E1.5. to the new electrical panel to be installed at the hangar.
The installation of this new power supply will include all necessary items, three
infrastructure and accessories in order to ensure compliance with local codes and laws,
as well as guaranteeing that any existing buildings, and their components, will be left as
found or in better condition. The supply will travel both underground and over existing
roofs. New electrical outlets (as shown in sheet E1.3) and lightning (see sheet E1.2) will
also be installed as part of the electrical work.
2.3 Mechanical System
2.4 The Contractor shall build all mechanical systems required for the complete
functioning of the stormwater system and must fulfill the requirements identified in plans
and this document. The system must fulfill national and international norms, such as the
defined by the Código de Instalaciones Hidráulicas y Sanitarias en Edificaciones, 2017.
3 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
3.1 Design and Construction Plans
The construction contract, the technical specifications and construction plans
complement each other, such that whatever appears in one of them has full value, even
if it does not appear in any other document. In case of inconsistencies between these
documents, the Owner or the COR will make the necessary clarifications. In the matter of
the dimensions of architectural elements and location of architectural and structural
elements and general dimensions, the architectural plans rank over the structural plans,
unless a divergence merits a clarification. The blueprints consist of all the plans created
for this project, accompanied by these specifications and those sent during the bidding
process or the four development of the constructions. In plans, the expressed dimensions
rule over the stated scale and, when one is missing, the COR must be consulted. In
general, the plans with larger scale rule over the ones with smaller scale. The technical
specifications govern over the plans. The Contractor shall elaborate updated plans as the
construction progresses, which shall be given to the COR when requested and at the time
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
to present alternatives in the project for approval, these plans must include the installation
as it was done and the exact location, as well as features, materials, trajectory, duct and
pipelines dimensions and accessories duly identified. These shall be printed in the scale
defined by the COR. Once the construction works are finished, the Contractor shall submit
a compact disc with the blueprints to the Owner and the COR with all of the requested
corrections by the Inspection. All of the plans shall be created in a computer, using the
AutoCAD software y submitted a printed version, using the scale stated by the COR.
3.2 Applicable Publications
The general regulations that shall be followed are:
• Construction Law (Ley de Construcciones).
• Costa Rican Seismic Code (Código Sísmico de Costa Rica).
• Cosntruction Regulations (Reglamento de Construcciones).
• General Health Law (Ley General de Salud).
• Law #7600 –“Equal opportunity for people with disabilities” (Ley #7600 “Igualdad de
Oportunidades para las Personas con Discapacidad”).
• Urban Planification Law (Ley de Planificación Urbana).
• Organic Law of C.F.I.A. (Ley Orgánica del C.F.I.A).
• Municipal Codes and their respective Regulatory Plans (Códigos Municipales y sus
respectivos Planes Reguladores).
• Regulations for the Control of Urbanizations (Reglamento para el Control de
Fraccionamientos y Urbanizaciones). Each specialty area also includes their applicable
specific publications.
3.3 Security during the Construction Process
The Contractor shall comply with the Security Regulations in Construction, published in
the Costa Rican official newspaper #122 in June 27, 1996 and with the next specific
sections in construction security. During the demolition, if any, foundation and building
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
process, The Contractor is obliged to ensure the safety of the workers in site, as well as
with the exterior, with special consideration with the immediate neighbors and nature. The
admission of workers, personnel, visitors or other, as well as the movement of materials
and Contractors equipment to the site shall be regulated and controlled by the owner,
whenever them or the COR consider it convenient and necessary. When the foundation
works are executed next to existing buildings with shallower foundations than those being
built, the necessary excavations shall be executed in sections and, when the final
retention system is not immediately started, temporary shoring shall be used. Proper
shoring shall be used in the construction of pits or shafts and shall not be removed until
the support structure reaches the top of the pit. The capacity of the wooden planks shall
be proportional to its use and shall have a minimum thickness of 4 cm. When it is
necessary to join several planks, the joint shall be done near the ends, lay over a
crossbeam element and be leveled in order to avoid tripping. The minimum width of the
6-scaffolding platform is 0.90m. Railing shall be placed in the external side of the
scaffolding, at least 1.20m high, to protect the workers. The minimum width of ramps shall
be 0.80m and shall have two capable railings made-up of elements placed at a height of
0.60m and 1.20m from the ramp and their supports shall be fixed to the floor. When the
ramps are used for material transport, they shall have a minimum width of 1.20m. People
working in high places shall use a security belt in order to avoid accidents. The same
applies when the scaffolding is being remove. No access to the scaffolding shall be
granted to workers that do not exhibit a normal physical state, much less in an inebriated
state or showing signs of vertigo. The appropriate institution shall be notified if demolition,
construction or repair works are performed near high voltage cables or any electrical
cable, so that it can be disconnected for proper protection. Proper shoes and gloves shall
be provided to workers in charge of preparing and manipulation of concrete to protect
them from burns. The Contractor shall provide them with adequate means to wash off the
cement in the place of work, to avoid irritation.
4 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
All work shall be carried out in strict compliance with all contract clauses and these
technical specifications. In the event that the Contractor discovers discrepancies
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
contained in the various design/technical documents, Contractor must immediately notify
the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) before taking any other action.
4.1 Quantities
This contract is based on a lump sum priced solicitation. Any quantities indicated in the
specifications, drawings are for reference only, and the Contractor is responsible for
providing quantities needed to complete the work, without any price adjustment after
award.
4.2 Trials and Tests Materials,
Permanent equipment, its accessories and other elements used in the project, shall be
subject to tests necessary to verify their compliance with specifications, properties and
characteristics, in accordance with the specified requirements and tolerances, in line with
the use for which they have been intended. Materials, equipment, accessories or
elements that have not been accepted by the COR (Contracting Officer Representative),
shall be withdrawn from the work site or replaced, at Contractors cost. Laboratory tests
can be carried out, according to the specific case, at the work site or in laboratories
previously authorized by the COR. Materials that bear quality certificates issued by ISO
or its equivalent, do not need to be routinely tested. Costs of laboratory trials and tests
shall be for the account of Contractor. The COR shall be able to carry out special trials
and tests at any time if it is needed to clarify the quality of any item.
4.3 Work Execution
The different items in the construction schedule shall be carried out in a gradual and
progressive manner, without starting any work that could later be affected by other items
that have not been concluded or that lack an adequate support or safety measures, taking
care that work that has been finished is not affected by weather or other elements. The
Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining quality of work by following proper
operation procedures in construction. Throughout the different stages of construction
work, Contractor shall obtain approval, from the COR, in order to continue with
subsequent stages of construction. Before receiving approval to continue through the
various stages, samples of completed work shall be tested to verify the quality of the work.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
The Contractor shall provide a construction schedule in which all the works shall be
detailed with the date of performance and delivery.
4.4 Cost of the Project
The Contractor shall include all the costs of the materials, labor, transportation, and
materials testing that will be needed to complete the project and comply with all the
specifications stated in this document.
5 TASK SPECIFICATIONS
5.1 Site Evaluation
Before the project starts, the Contractor shall visit and examine the site to verify its
conditions, facilities and limitations. The information related to topography and service
connections such as pipelines, rainwater and sewage must be checked. In case of a
discrepancy not contemplated neither in plans nor other document, must be notified to
the COR for its resolution.
5.2 Existing Buildings Demolition
The Contractor shall demolish all existing elements that may interfere in the construction
site. All of the materials removed from the projects site must be transported by the
Contractor and disposed of in an appropriate place outside the property, which selection
is part of Contractors responsibilities.
5.3 Preliminary Work
5.3.1 Land clearing this clause includes tree trimming work (any required permissions
apply) and any shrub, trunk, root, grass and topsoil layer removal. The aim of this is to
clear the area on and around the buildings footprint that is deemed unsuitable for
foundation work or terrain leveling works. The Contractor shall perform any land clearing,
root, tree and vegetation removal, and topsoil and organic silt elimination when present.
The Contractor must remove any elements that interfere with the construction work, such
as old foundations, rocks, etc. All of the materials removed from the projects site, such as
topsoil and debris, must be transported by the Contractor and disposed of in an
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
appropriate place outside the property, which selection, along with any implicit technical
and environmental repercussions, is the Contractors responsibility.
5.3.2 Leveling and Plotting
Before construction start, the Contractor shall define the projects components layout and,
if necessary, construction levels in accordance to the provided drawings. During this
same phase, the Contractor must verify all of the drawings information, and correct them
if any discrepancy exists between real, on-site, dimensions and those provided in
drawings by the designer. 10 To comply with these requirements, the Contractor shall
provide an expert topographer supported by precision equipment such as total stations,
levels, measuring tape, and any other required equipment for layout, alignment and
terrain leveling. The use of this equipment will be performed so that machinery works will
not interfere. Any additional alignment or leveling job cost will be the Contractors
responsibility.
5.3.3 Warning Signs
The Contractor shall provide all the necessary signs and announcements to prevent
accidents according to the safety plan, which shall have the approval of the COR. Signs
shall be made of acrylic or galvanized sheets painted with a yellow background and with
red or black letters.
5.3.4 Temporary Structures
Temporary structures, for the Contractors personnel use, will be implemented for use
during the project’s duration. It is the Contractors responsibility to implement offices,
warehouses, provisional bathrooms and the guardhouses required for their own use, with
a temporary connection to a potable water and sewage system prior to commencing
construction. One sanitary facility shall be implemented for every ten workers, with an
additional one for the technical staff. The Contractor will be responsible for cleaning and
maintaining these structures. The materials used for these provisional facilities can be
metal, concrete, or wood, as long as they are secure and provide a private area. The
COR can demand changes or improvements of the provisional facilities at any time if he
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
determines that the Contractor is not providing a clean area with sufficient privacy and
safety.
5.4 Earthwork, Excavation and Backfilling
The work described in this chapter includes excavation and backfilling, as well as
carrying, piling up and removing excavation material necessary for the construction of the
building, piping, and all elements indicated in the project drawings.
5.4.1 Leveling
To determine final levels, theodolites or precision instruments will be used. If there are
considerable differences with the specifications in the drawings, the COR shall be notified
and only through a report of mutual agreement will the new levels be determined. The
residual material must be removed and placed outside the construction site in places
approved by the local authority.
5.4.2 Excavation
Generally, excavation is understood as the removal of volumes of land or other materials
forming spaces for construction, foundations, structures, buildings, roads, etc. Excavation
shall be done according to the heights, limits, elevations, gradients and sections set forth
in the structural, architectural, and sanitary drawings, save for different or real conditions
of the project. During excavation, material satisfactory for backfilling shall be stockpiled
in an orderly manner at a distance from banks of the trench equal to ½ the depth of the
excavation, but in no instance closer than 60 cm. Excavated material not required or not
satisfactory for backfill shall be removed from the site, without affecting the adjacent
properties. The material produced from 12 excavation will be temporarily disposed of on
the sides of excavations, so that it will not impede the execution of other work. The final
excavation that will be performed in the places where specific exterior works made out of
concrete will be built shall be carried out as close to the pouring of concrete to avoid any
alterations due to bad weather. In no case shall excavation be performed to a depth in
which the soil is loose. If this happens, it will be considered as an “over excavation” that
will be corrected by the contractor according to the project’s specifications. If, in the
Contractors or CORs opinion, the bottom of the ditch is not strong or is unstable, over-
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
excavation will be carried out until solid ground is reached, otherwise the Contractor and
the COR. shall jointly agree upon another solution. It is the Contractors duty to protect the
stability of the adjacent properties while excavation is carried out. This should be done in
a way that guarantees the stability of those buildings without causing any damage.
Excavation shall be protected against rain, landslides and other excavations. The
Contractor will protect the personnel excavating in ditches and, if for safety reasons it is
deemed necessary, the contractor shall provide timbering and shoring. This shoring shall
be reviewed and approved by the COR, and the Contractor will protect the shoring and
will be removed after the excavation has been performed. For piping placement in
excavation, the filling will be laid as a first step to cover a height of at least 20 cm above
the highest part of piping and shall be compressed in accordance with the article of this
section. Excavation will be done from the ditch in accordance with the gradient slope and
required transversal lines for placement of piping as indicated on working drawings.
5.4.3 Excavation with Water Presence
The excavation with presence of water may be caused by water coming from the
underground, rainwater, floods, operation of the construction, sewage and others.
Excavation cannot be executed in the presence of water, whatever its origin, and
therefore due precautions and protections must be taken, as construction techniques
advise in these cases. The presence of water makes work more difficult and the safety of
the people and the projects themselves decreases. Therefore, the Contractor is required
to take due precautions to eliminate water in excavation sites by using stake boards,
cofferdams, pumping, drainage, curbs, etc. When placing stone masonries, concrete
structures, or any structure, the Contractor will insure that water is not present in
excavations, and that it will remain so until mortar and concrete have set. None of the
excavations should have water present before placing the pipes, and under no
circumstance will they be placed under water. The trenches shall remain dry until the
pipes have been totally coupled and the welded junctions are completely dry.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
5.4.4 Removal of Water and/or Excavated
Material Waste removal is defined as the method of transportation of the materials
produced by excavation, which should have a specifically determined place for disposal
approved by the local authority. When there is an excess material, the Contractor shall
remove it and place it outside the area of construction where such material will not
obstruct watercourses or cause detriment to the neighboring areas. Excess or waste
material should not be located in properties adjacent to the construction site unless the
Contractor receives written authorization from the owners of such properties. The material
produced by excavation that will not be used for the construction of the project shall be
removed from the site using heavy mechanical equipment in good condition, without
causing vehicle transit interruption or neighbors’ annoyance.
5.4.5 Backfilling
Backfilling is defined at the sections indicated by the project, the existing gaps between
structures and excavations, or between the structures and the natural soil in such a way
that any point of the finished section will remain at a distance greater than 10 centimeters
from the corresponding section of the project. The backfilling process will be carried out
using earth, gravel, sand or rock with approval from the COR. Prior to backfilling, the land
shall be free of debris, trunks, branches, etc., and in general, of all organic material and
all the material that is not appropriate for backfilling. The COR will approve the material
that will be used for backfilling in advance and the material will come from the excavation
itself or other extraction sites. The backfilling will be done according to the project
specifications and according to the lines, levels and gradients described in the
architectonic and structural drawings. The Contractor is required to obtain, transport and
maintain the necessary material for backfilling, either from the excavation site or from
qualified quarries. Special care will be given by not using the mechanical compactor in
areas close to buildings or existing construction inside or outside of the property. If 15 any
damage occurs, this shall be repaired and costs assumed by the Contractor. The refill
and/or cover of any excavation that contains lines or pipes installations and other services
will not proceed until they have been placed and tested as well as approved and accepted
by the COR. The backfilling for subflooring will be placed and mechanically compacted in
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
beds of 0.20m thick according to the D698-64T specifications of the American Society for
testing and Materials (ASTM). Backfilling with gravel, sand or ground stone for formation
of drains or filters shall be consistent with the grain grading specified in the working
drawings; materials will be sieved and washed if required. For filter formation, the
materials will be placed in such a way that the higher-grade particles remain in contact
with the structure and the ones with lesser diameters in contact with the natural terrain,
unless otherwise indicated.
5.4.6 Compacted Backfilling with Natural Soil
Compacted backfilling with natural soil is defined as placing horizontal layers of the
existing soil, with a thickness of 20 cm, with the humidity that the material requires to get
a mechanical compression to 95% minimum of the density of the Proctor Standard
measure. Each layer shall be evenly compacted on the entire surface by pneumatic
rammers or other construction equipment until obtaining the maximum compression
possible with the use of these tools. The material to be used in this backfilling shall be
free of organic residues and waste. Prior to backfilling, the land shall be free of debris.
The COR will approve in advance the material that will be used in the backfilling process.
The compaction process shall be done according to the standards of the American
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO T-130). 16 If the
approved material for this backfilling is not enough to reach the levels specified in the
project design, the Contractor shall complete the volume needed, with granular material
according to the specification for “Compacted backfilling with granular material.” The
Contractor shall carry out laboratory tests to guarantee the compliance with the
aforementioned specifications and the Contractor will assume the cost of these tests.
5.4.7 Compacted Backfilling with Granular Material
Compacted backfilling with granular material is defined as placing horizontal layers of
sub-base to a maximum thickness of 20 cm. Each layer will be compacted evenly on its
entire surface by pneumatic rammers or heavy construction equipment until obtaining the
maximum compression possible with the use of these tools. Compaction shall be carried
out using sheep foot rollers, pneumatic-tried rollers, steel-wheeled rollers, vibratory
compactors, or other approved equipment. The thickness of the backfilling shall be in
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
accordance with the structural and architectonic detailed drawings. Prior to backfilling, the
land shall be free of debris. The COR will approve in advance the material that will be
used in the backfilling process. The compaction process shall be done according to the
standards of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO). Compacting shall be having a 95% of the maximum density (Proctor Test).
The material to be used shall be granular selected material according AASHTO 145 (A1,
A2, and A3).
5.5 Layout
Once the site is clean, the Contractor may place the topographic reference system:
stakes, levels, etc, used to define the layout, alignment and levels of site. The topographic
reference system must be placed in such way that it does not interfere with the machinery.
The topographic alignment will be place once by the Owner, in case of needing to be
placed again; it shall be paid by the Contractor.
5.6 Final Delivery and Cleaning
5.6.1 Works Final Delivery
The Contractor may ask to the COR for the installation’s final reception, only whenever
all hired jobs and respective specifications are completely done, according to the Owner
and COR satisfaction.
5.6.2 Site and Structure Cleaning
The Contractor shall leave the work site completely clean and residues free. In addition,
before delivering the building, must do a complete cleaning of the structure. No se
aceptarán pisos, paredes ni vidrios con manchas de pintura ni de ninguna otra
naturaleza. Tampoco se aceptarán tuberías con sedimentos o cualquier otro tipo de
suciedad u obstrucción, debiéndose limpiar completamente antes de entregar la obra
terminada. It will not be accepted under any circumstances, walls or glasses with painting,
glue or any other kind of stains. Neither will be accepted pipes 18 obstructed by sediments
or residues, therefore the pipes shall be cleaned before the job is delivered to the Owner.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
The Contractor shall remove all machinery, tools and any other implement or accessories
used during the construction process.
6 Concrete Works
6.1 General
The production, transportation and placing of concrete used to build the project must
comply with the recommendations of the American Concrete Institute (ACI), which are
found in the “Specifications for Structural Concrete For Building” ACI 301 Committee
report, last revision. For all of the other processes involved with reinforced concrete, all
of the recommendations of the ACI 318 “Building Code Requirements for Reinforced
Concrete”, last revision, must be followed. Compliance with the standards and
specifications of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), mentioned in
this document and related to reinforced concrete, is mandatory.
6.2 Properties and Characteristics of Concrete
6.2.1 Applicable Publications
Concrete building, be it onsite or ready mix, must follow the technical and constructive
standards presented in the following publications, in its current versions:
● ACI
● CRSI
● Applicable ASTM standards.
6.2.2 Cement
Cement used in any work execution, must be Portland Type 71-Normal cement, compliant
with the ASTM C-150 standard. It must arrive the project´s warehouse in its original
packing, without any sign of tears or material hardening. If the COR detects any
anomalies, he will be able to request a partial or complete product lot substitution. Cement
must be kept in a fresh place and covered in a way that it is not exposed to rain or affected
by humidity. The product is allowed to be stowed in 10 cm tall wooden pallets in ten bag
stows as maximum.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
6.2.3 Sand (fine aggregate)
The sand used for concrete producing must be river sand, except in special cases. To
verify its quality, samples must be approved by the COR, especially when using quarry
sand. In any case, sand must have a siliceous-calcareous origin, free from any
deleterious substance such as, clay, silt, lignite or alkali. It must be free of any dirt, and
kept dry so that its humidity levels are according to the mix design and therefore the
volumetric or by weight dose used to make concrete. Sand used for concrete elements
shall comply with the ASTM C33 standard, in its current version. The used sand must
have grain sizes within the following limits: Chart 1. Sand granulometry Sieve Percentage
passing 3/8” 100 #4 95 to 100 #8 80 to 100 #16 80 to 100 20 #30 25 to 60 #50 10 to 30
#100 2 to 10 6.2.4 Gravel (coarse aggregate) Coarse aggregate consists of materials
which main content is gravel or broken stone. These materials must be clean and free of
any substances such as soil, clay, silt and other organic materials, which could produce
fake adherence in the concrete mix. The required measures for coarse aggregates used
for concrete, are:
● For thin, reinforced concrete elements, less than a fifth of the molds lesser dimension
and less than three fourths of the space between rebar.
● For elements having, approximately, a 6 cm thickness, the use of aggregates bigger
than 25 mm is prohibited.
● For elements such as beams, columns and any reinforced concrete element, aggregate
with a diameter less than 38 mm must be used.
● For non-reinforced concrete elements, aggregate with a diameter between 38 mm and
50 mm can be used.
● For massive concrete elements, aggregate with a diameter up to 150 mm can be used,
prior to the COR approval.
● Coarse aggregate storage must be done in a way that different sized products don’t
mix, for which wooden board enclosures, forming quadrants, with enough height for
stocking more material. Each enclosure must have a sign that indicates the diameter of
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
the aggregate. Cone shaped piles are forbidden, and a flat surface must be maintained
while in storage, so that any debris can be easily removed and will not easily mix with the
clean aggregate.
6.2.5 Water
All of the water used in the mixing, curing and mortar production, must be clean, potable
water. The water quantity to be used in each concrete pouring must be according to the
specific dosage presented in the following table: Chart 2. Dosage according to
compressive strength
WATER/CEMENT RATIO BY WEIGHT PROBABLE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH AT 28
DAYS
0.45 350 Kg/cm2
0.53 280 Kg/ cm2
0.62 225 Kg/ cm2
0.71 175 Kg/ cm2
6.2.6 Additives
The use of any concrete additives, i.e. setting accelerants, retardants, or hardeners, must
be done after the COR request or approval. In case that the requested additives are not
commercially available, any similar products must be submitted for approval with its
respective manufacturers technical manual. Any approved additive must arrive to the
construction site in its original package.
6.2.7 Hand mixing
Concrete production using any manual methods is not allowed. In especial cases in
which, for example, small volumes are required, excessive travel distances or difficult
access circumstances are present, the COR can eventually allow, without any
responsibility, the use of hand mixed concrete.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
6.2.8 Mechanical Concrete Mixer
The mechanical mixing of concrete is the only type of process allowed. The COR has the
authority to inspect and approve all of the equipment used for mixing concrete. The
requisites that need to be met are:
• All of the equipment employed must be in good mechanical and operation conditions. A
water weight or water level controller for the mixer is desirable.
• The mixer´s barrel size must be according to the concrete volume to be poured.
• Concrete mixers with a capacity of less than a cement bag are not allowed to be used
on-site.
• All of the necessary equipment for any given pouring job to be continuous, free of any
interruptions, must be available in the project. The COR can request, according to the
volume of any pouring job, the addition of mixers and other equipment.
• When placing any concrete, the concrete mixer and any other equipment used during
the process must be clean. When the job is finished, or a pause larger than two hours
happens, the mixers and any equipment involved must be washed.
• All materials must be introduced at the same time in the mixer, so that the mix can be
as homogenous as possible
• The mixing duration cannot be less than two minutes after pouring all the materials
inside the drum.
• The time for the concrete to be cast in place, after pouring all the materials in the mixer,
cannot be higher than thirty minutes.
6.2.9 Mixing While in Transit
Dry, on-plant dosed, concrete and mixed in transit to the Project can be used. The truck
used must be a drum mixer. Each concrete shipment must complete at least fifty
revolutions. The mixing speed will be higher than four drum revolutions per minute and
no larger than 225 ft. of drum circumference per minute. The revolutions must be
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
continuous once all of the materials are introduced. The maximum time between concrete
deliveries shall not be longer than twenty minutes.
6.2.10 Sleeves in Concrete
The use of sleeves inside reinforced concrete is considered as a non-desired practice.
Only special cases, authorized by the COR and indicated in redline drawings, will be
allowed with previous presentation of workshop drawings and diagrams. In the case that
sleeves are allowed, they shall be located in the central third of the beams longitude and
the central third of its height. When using pipes smaller than 25 mm in diameter, the
separation between each sleeve must be of 25 cm. If the sleeve uses pipe with a diameter
between 64 mm to 100 mm, their separation must be at least 50 cm. Additionally, two #3
bars, 50 cm long, frames will be placed, or what the COR indicates. If the sleeves are
placed with one or both of its ends in contact with the ground, plastic covers must be
placed at the ends. If the pipes go through a tanks walls, instead of sleeves a pipe with
the same characteristics as the rest of the piping will be placed, with a flange in the walls
mid-section.
6.2.11 Anchors and Fittings
Any anchors and fittings necessary to join concrete elements to metal or wood elements
are shown in the projects drawings. The plates or steel sections 24 used to produce them
must meet the established criteria in the chapter “Steel Structure” of this document. Rebar
must comply with the requirements established in the steel chapter of this document,
having a yield strength equal to fy = 2800 kg/cm2 , unless otherwise specified. In any
other case, experimental and documental evidence of the elements weldability must be
provided. The joining elements size and shape will be indicated in the corresponding
drawing, but alternative designs, that facilitates the elements placement while retaining
its structural integrity, can be accepted by the COR. The placement must be done so that
formwork removal doesn’t become complicated. During this procedure, the specified
opening tolerances must be observed.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
6.2.12 Construction Joints
All construction, vertical or horizontal, joints must be approved by the COR, who will
determine where and how it will be built, using the necessary elements (key joints, butt-
dowel joint, butt-tie bar joint, etc…). Before the concrete casting, any joint must be
moistened and the concrete surface covered with a thick concrete grout. Contact or
isolation joints must be built every time a slab comes in contact with columns, concrete
walls, CMU walls or reinforced concrete rigid frames. Isolation joints must be built using
expanded polystyrene foam with a 13 mm thickness, or a similar material, adhered with
special glue or nails, and the same width of the concrete slab.
6.2.13 Concrete Casting and Vibration
The COR shall approve the formwork, molds, temporary structures, and the placement
and cover of rebar. He must be notified, five business days in advance, the date and time
at which any concrete element will be casted. All of the necessary equipment for any
given pouring job to be continuous, free of any interruptions, must be available in the
project. The COR can request, according to the volume of any pouring job, the addition
of mixers and other equipment. Next to the concrete casting place, at least two vibrators
in good conditions, with a 65 mm maximum diameter head, will be present. Another
smaller vibrator with a 25 mm diameter head, will be available in the project, in the case
that thin or densely reinforced concrete elements are needed to be casted. Casting shall
proceed in a continuous manner between the previously approved construction joints,
and is only allowed to be interrupted in case that rain can wash the concretes surface.
Concrete more than forty-five minutes old is not allowed to be used, nor remixed with
water or more cement. Concrete casting shall be performed with the utmost care, avoiding
any separation of the mixed materials, cold joints formation or the creation of layers.
Casting height cannot exceed 2 m from the concretes final level.
6.2.14 Concrete Strength
All structural concrete must have the minimum compressive strength, 28 days after being
casted, that the drawings specify. For filled CMU (concrete blocks) the minimum
compressive strength will be 175 kg/cm2 .
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
6.2.15 Strength Testing
Concretes compressive strength will be determined according to ASTM C-39 standard,
last revision, in test cylinders with 150 mm Ø x 300 mm dimensions. The cylinders will be
prepared under the CORs supervision. When taking fresh concrete samples the ASTM
C-31 standard, latest revision, will be followed. Six steel molds will be available on site,
taking at least one sample per 20m3 of casted concrete. Each sample will consist, at
least, of four test cylinders having the dimensions specified above. The casting date,
casted elements, number and designation of the cylinders, and obtained strength values
will be indicated in the project’s logbook.
6.2.16 Test approval
If compressive strength tests results are not approved, written permission shall be
obtained from the COR to procure samples of the rejected concrete section or element
and subsequently test them, according to the ASTM C-42 standard.
6.2.17 Concrete Curing
All built reinforced concrete elements shall be appropriately cured. This process must
begin once the elements surface has acquired enough hardness so that its integrity isn’t
affected by the force of the water jet. The curing must start four hours after the concrete
casting, at the latest. In extensive concrete elements, with large surface areas, such as
walls or slabs, prone to damage caused by the sun or wind, the COR shall indicate the
appropriate curing procedure, without this justifying the contractor for charging any
additional costs. All curing process will have a 7 day minimum duration, even if the
formwork has not yet been removed.
6.2.18 Concrete Defects Reparation
After every concrete casting, any defects indicated by the COR will be repaired. The
defective section will be scarified or cut, forming clean tooth, removing any loose material
by using compressed air in the produced cavities. The sections being repaired will be
filled with epoxy mortar, following the manufacturer’s instructions. The specific product to
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
be used shall be indicated by the COR. The sand used to help in the reparation will be
dried in an oven, so that any moisture is removed.
6.3 Formwork
6.3.1 General
The reinforced concrete casting process must be performed using any COR approved
formwork, using the specified measures for every element according to the drawings.
Formwork must be rigid and its reinforcing temporary structures must be designed and
built with enough strength to resist: its own weight, the formworks weight, the concretes
weight and any imposed load during the construction process, so that the formwork and
temporary structures won’t suffer any distortions which could affect the final product. The
materials used must be in good conditions, and the surfaces that will be in contact with
the concrete must be free of any leftover concrete from previous castings, nails, or any
other object not part of the specified concrete mix, such as hooks, black steel wire,
staples, etc. To compensate any deformations and distortions in elements with excessive
weight, a precaber can be given to the formwork or temporary structures, given the CORs
approval. To facilitate formwork removal, a release agent can be used after being
approved by the COR. The aim of any formwork job is to obtain the final finish once it is
released, except when the drawings indicate other finish type. Before any casting job, the
formworks must be submitted for the CORs approval, who will accept, reject or request
changes to the formwork. 6.3.2 Wood Formwork Formwork built using wood need special
care due to its short lifespan. Because of this reason, this type of formwork shall be used
a maximum of three times. In special cases reuses can be allowed, but only if the following
conditions are met:
● Wood used in formwork will be sufficiently dry and of top quality, so that no excessive
deformations will occur during the casting and curing process.
● Wooden plank thickness shall not be less than 25 mm.
● Planks must be reinforced with wooden beams having dimensions of 2.5 cm x 7.5 cm
at 60 cm, to avoid deformations.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
● The formworks surface in contact with the concrete shall present a smooth, brushed,
crack and defect-free surface, so that it won interfere with the concrete casting process.
● Any rectangular shaped wood element used for formwork reinforcing must have a
minimum thickness of 5 cm in any side, and it must be clear of any deformation or twists
that may compromise the formwork.
● Wood employed as formwork can be treated with a COR approved formwork releasing
agent.
● A wide variety of wood types can be used as formwork, such as: Pilón, Gallinazo,
Amarillón, Lagarto and others.
6.3.3 Plywood Formwork
Formwork built using plywood must be used when excessive surface areas are
encountered in a casting job, and in those cases that, due to design requirements, they
must remain exposed or the COR has requested so. Plywood used as formwork must be
at least of second hand quality, which shall be indicated with an appropriate
manufacturers certified seal. The formwork side which faces concrete, while working with
plywood, will be in good conditions, which means that no deformations, splintering or any
other defect that can compromise the final product shall be allowed. The minimum
allowed thickness for plywood used as formwork shall be of 12 mm, with 40 cm x 40 cm
traverse wooden beams, with a minimum 5 cm x 5 cm section.
6.3.4 Metal Formwork
Formwork built using metal are considered as a desirable system for use in reinforced
concrete casting (especially those systems which are widely recognized), as long as all
materials are in good shape. Molds used in the mentioned system shall be free of any
deformations, rust, holes or welding burr. Additionally, any temporary structure used to
support formwork can be metal or wooden, or a combination of both. The number of
allowed uses are dictated by the formwork condition and quality prior to each use, with
the CORs approval.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
6.3.5 Other Materials
The COR shall indicate or authorize the use of special materials for formwork in those
cases that design and construction drawings require it, or when reinforced concrete is
built in places where formwork removal is too complicated and/or expensive. Particle
boards will not be accepted for use as formwork or support.
6.3.6 Formwork Construction
All constructed formwork must follow a process such that the next phases are completed:
• Formwork design and shop drawings elaboration.
• Shop drawings approval by the COR.
• Material selection.
• Built up, assembly and reinforcement.
• Constructed formwork COR approval.
• Formwork releasing after COR approval.
• Work area cleaning, formwork cleaning and equipment storage. The COR shall approve
or request partial or total substitution of formwork which he considers that don’t meet the
required criteria for work execution. The COR will be able to request, at any time, the
detailed formwork drawings and calculation report.
6.3.7 Non-Exposed Concrete Formwork
Formwork used for concrete that will not be visible, will not exempt the Contractor from
using quality and in good shape formwork for the work execution. The final product from
each concrete casting shall be free of burrs, 31 bulges, or any other defects that can
affect the products final quality, complying with the constructive process described
previously.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
6.3.8 Formwork Erection
Previous to formwork erection, a conditioning of the projects soil will be performed, so
that any loose material, rubble, or soil that can represent an obstacle for formwork placing,
a collapsing hazard, or offer low strength for anchors and struts. The plumb and leveling
of molds will be done taking into account the formworks internal measures. Formwork
and falsework will be adequately stiffened so that they are able to resist any lateral or
gravity loads produced during the concretes casting. For this purpose, the use of
hardwood or semi-hardwood with a 5 cm by 5 cm minimum section will be used for posts.
A minimum section of 2.5 cm by 7.5 cm will be used for lateral reinforcement, but always
using low deformation tubular sections or wood sections with larger measurements. When
the temporary structure used to support formwork is a modular system, the manufacturers
technical specifications will be closely followed. It is the CORs criteria to approve the use
of this type of system, which will be given only when drawings, diagrams and installation
manuals are presented by the Contractor. Before starting any casting job, every mold’s
condition will be checked, so that it is free of buckling or deformations. The cleanliness of
the formwork will also be checked, ensuring also that no fissures or cracks are present.
6.3.9 Formwork Removal
The formwork and falsework removal process will be started once the concrete has
acquired enough strength to ensure structural security, stiffness and 32 appearance.
Even when using enhancing additives, concrete will remain protected for at least the
following durations: Chart 3.
Duration of formwork protection for different elements.
Duration For sides of non-exposed frames, walls or columns 2 days, for sides of exposed
frames, walls or columns 4 days, bottoms of slabs with spans shorter than 3.6 m 14 days,
bottoms of slabs with spans longer than 3.6 m 21 days, bottom of masonry (CMU) beams
21 days, bottoms of beams with spans shorter than 6 m 14 days, bottoms of beams with
spans longer than 6 m 21 days and cantilever bottoms 21 days.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
6.3.10 Formwork Reuse
Formwork material reuse will be allowed only when in good shape after salvaging,
meaning that no buckling, cracks or any defect (which could compromise its job) are
present. Nevertheless, the COR will be able to check these material’s condition and
decide if they can be reused or will need to be discarded (See section 5.3.2). All reused
material, once selected, will be removed from the working area, cleaned, and stored so
that the rain and sun can’t affect them. These materials will show a sign, in one of its
sides, indicating the number of uses that it has been given.
6.4 Reinforcement Steel
The contractor will provide 6.4.1 General All the material, tools, equipment, accessories
and labor need for executing the reinforcement steel work, indicated in drawings and this
document. For any aspect of work related to reinforcement steel, the following standards
and manuals will be observed, in their current versions:
● "Manual of Standard Practice for Detailing Reinforced Concrete Structures" (ACI-315)
● “Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete" (ACI-318). Samples of the
material that will be used for the project, and therefore used in the necessary laboratory
tests, will be delivered to the COR and quality control department. Rebar spacing,
splicing, lateral reinforcement, temperature and contraction reinforcement and rebar
concrete cover will follow the appropriate specifications according to the ACI 318 code,
unless the COR explicitly states otherwise.
6.4.2 Reinforcement Steel Bars
Any rebar used in the project must comply with the ASTM A-615 or ASTM A706
standards, modified to use the following minimum yield strengths:
● fy=2800 kg/cm2 for Nº 2 bars, where indicated.
● fy=4200 kg/cm2 for Nº 3 bars or larger, where indicated.
● It is assumed that any bar equal or larger than N°5 bars will be grade 60 or fy=4200
kg/cm2 . The ratio between the steel’s ultimate strength and yield limit must not be lower
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
than 1.3, and its real tested yield strength shall not exceed more than 1300 kg/cm2 the
one specified. If the yield strength or weight of the rebar doesn’t meet the required values
by more than a 5 %, a larger rebar quantity will be used until the element’s original
capacity is reached, without an additional cost and according to the COR’s instructions.
6.4.3 Welded Steel Mesh
Welded steel mesh will comply with the criteria established in the ASTM A185 standard,
latest revision, and it must have a minimum yield strength of fy = 4200 kg/cm2.
6.4.4 Annealed Wire (tie wire)
When tying up rebar annealed wire with a thickness equal or larger than #16 will be used,
with a sufficient malleability so that bending and branding is possible.
6.4.5 Reinforcement Fabrication
The preparation, cut, bending, placing and splicing of rebar will be performed according
to the established common practices for this job, following the recommendations of the
following publications, in their latest version: ● American Concrete Institute (ACI):
"Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete ACI 318". ● Concrete Reinforcing
Steel Institute (CRSI): "Design Handbook". Bars will be fixed and held firmly in position
using # 16 caliber tie wire, so that no displacement is caused when vibrating the concrete.
The specified concrete cover between bars and formwork will be guaranteed using mortar
separators with a cylindrical or cubical shape. Separators made from wood, brick, stone
or other type of material different from the one specified are not allowed. Rebar concrete
cover will have a 50 mm minimum thickness for retaining walls and foundation elements,
and 25 mm for any other concrete element. Bars will be cold bent using a radius larger
than three diameters, as indicated by the drawings, with a maximum tolerance of -5+10
mm. Before casting the concrete, the COR must verify the reinforcement bars’ placement.
Diameters, quantities, separation, and distribution of rebar will be according to what is
indicated in drawings. In the case that splices are necessary, they will be made at the
element’s inflection point or in the element’s section with lower stresses. Splices will be
alternated, and no more than half of the rebar will be spliced at the same point. A 40-
diameter minimum spacing between splices will be used, using the diameter of the largest
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
bar in the element. When bars are overlapped when splicing, the minimum overlap length
will be 30 diameters when not ending in a hook. “Bottle neck” bending is not allowed,
except when transitioning between elements with different thicknesses, in which case a
maximum slope of 12:1 while be used, but no splicing can be done in this area. Overlap
splices will be tied with #16 caliber black wire, and a minimum concrete cover of 25 mm
will be used.
6.4.6 Fabrication Tolerances
● Straight bars: +- 4 cm in length.
● Bars with tail: +- 4 cm in length.
● Bars with 90-degree tail: +2-1 cm for the tail, measured from the exterior side of the
remaining straight portion.
● Bars with 135-degree tail: Same as with 90-degree tail, but measuring before the last
45-degree bend.
● Stirrups without confinement hooks: For stirrups with sides shorter than 50 cm: +- 1cm
with parallel sides not differing more than 1 cm. For stirrups with sides larger than 50 cm:
+1-2 cm with parallel sides not differing more than 1 cm.
● Stirrups with confinement hooks: For stirrups with sides shorter than 50 cm: +- 0.5 cm
with parallel sides not differing more than 0.5 cm. For stirrups with sides larger than 50
cm: +0.5-1 cm with parallel sides not differing more than 0.5 cm.
● Confinement hooks: Hooks need to be properly placed in relation to stirrups, so that the
concrete cover is never reduced by more than 0.5 cm.
● Bar bending diameter: A reduction of no more than 10 % of the specified value is
allowed, while the maximum increase is of 30 %.
6.4.7 Placement Tolerances
● Vertical placement: +- 0.5 cm for slabs, and +- 1.5 cm in any other element. The
tolerance shall be measured from the formwork’s bottom, without modifying the concrete
cover by a value larger than allowed.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
● Longitudinal placement: +- 3 cm without modifying the concrete cover by a value larger
than allowed. 37
● Traverse placement: +- 2 cm without modifying the concrete cover by a value larger
than allowed and using a tolerance of +-0.5 cm for bar spacing.
● Concrete cover: -0.5+1 cm.
● Uniformly placed bar spacing: +-2.5 cm without reducing the total bar number. If major
obstacles are present, the COR can approve appropriate modifications.
● Stirrup spacing: +- 2 cm for spacing equal or larger than 10 cm. shorter spacing will
have a +-1 cm tolerance, without reducing the total stirrup count.
● Restressed beams in existing rebar basket: The COR can allow larger stirrup spacing
than those specified before.
6.4.8 Samples and Testing
The COR will be able to pick one ninety centimeters long sample for every thirty bars
used in the project, for each diameter and bar type, with the purpose of using them for
mechanical testing and compare the results to the specified characteristics in this chapter.
The COR will be able to request partial or total substitution of the lot in which a tested
reinforcement bar was taken from.
6.4.9 Storage
Reinforcement bars will be classified, when arriving at the project, according to its
diameter, length, grade, and final use. They will be stored in moist-free pallets, protected
from the elements. Rebar must be clean and free of rust, scales, and imperfections that
could affect its strength, physical properties and concrete adherence.
6.4.10 Hooks and bends
Rebar bends for stirrups will be done around a bending bolt which diameter will not be
smaller than six times the bar’s diameter. For other type of reinforcement, the same rule
applies, except for those bars with a diameter smaller than 25 mm, in which case the
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
bending bolt shall not be smaller than eight times de bar’s diameter. All bends will be cold
formed.
6.4.11 Reinforcement Cleaning
The reinforcement bar will be brand new material, free of any deep rust, clean, and free
of impurities. It will be cleaned using a dry method before beginning the bar placement
processes.
6.4.12 Rebar Placement
The minimum concrete cover will be according the values specified in the following table:
Chart 4. Minimum concrete cover Element Cover Continuous Footing 5 cm bottom face,
3.5 cm elsewhere. Isolated Footing 7.5 cm bottom and lateral faces, 5 cm top face.
Foundation Slabs 5 cm bottom face, 2.5 cm top face. Foundation beams 5 cm bottom
face, 3.5 cm elsewhere. Piles 7.5 cm in its entire perimeter.
6.4.13 Supports
Reinforcement will be placed using concrete cubes with the measures specified in this
chapter, in a layout such that the reinforcement will not be able to move beyond the
tolerance values when pouring and vibrating the concrete mix. Plastic supports and
separators are permitted to be used when designed specifically for this purpose.
6.4.14 Inspection
All work done regarding Steel reinforcement, including material and placement, must be
submitted to the COR’s approval prior casting start. For this purpose, a two-day notice
will be given so that enough time for checking will be allowed. Any omission regarding
constructive details of steel reinforcement will be fixed or replaced according to the
previously mentioned ACI and CRSI standards, without this meaning additional cost to
the project.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
7 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This section specifies general requirements for electrical installations,
telecommunications and security for the project; using the best technics to ensure a high-
quality work, as well as the best procedures for its construction according to plans,
sketches, details and technical documentation, abiding what is defined on the National
Electrical Code (Código Eléctrico Nacional – Pedestal 5 cm in all faces. Columns 2.5 cm
in all faces. Retaining wall 5 cm in face against soil, 2.5 cm in free face. 40 NEC),
Executive Decree number 36979 – MEIC: “Officialization bylaw of the Electrical Code of
Costa Rica for life and property security” (RTCR 458-2011) published on La Gaceta
number 33, on 15 February, 2012, as well as the Regulation of Telephone Installations
for Buildings, both documents will be part of the present document.
7.1 General Clarifications
Some of the specifications detailed in this document may not be installed or apply to this
project, therefore these sections shall not be considered. All equipment and materials to
install must be certified by Underwriters Laboratories INC, UL or certified by any OSH
recognized laboratories, according to the designed function defined, as well as extended
guaranty. Any case not included in the present specifications, shall be resolved by the
COR, according to the norms defined by the National Electrical Code (NEC) or any
applicable regulation. The Contractor must consider the following the chart when installing
some of the items, these dimensions may change depending on plans or COR
recommendations. Chart 5. Different element heights Element Height Meter 1,60 meters
Main board 1,60 meters Light switch 1,20 meters Power outlets 0,80 meters Restroom
outlets 1,20 meters Special outlets 0,80 meters 41
7.2 Contractor Obligations and Responsibilities
The Contractor is responsible of the equipment details coordination and constructions
included under in the present specifications
• Fulfill all general and special project requirements defined in this specification, also,
must take into account all observations and instructions written on the Project Binnacle.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
• The Contractor must test all electrical and electromechanical systems indicated in plans
and specifications, for the COR approval and its respective reception
• All voltage, current, continuity, insulation, amongst others measurements must be
certified • The Contractor will be responsible for the internal and external constructions
required for pipe laying, as well as any other electrical accessories.
• During the construction, all pipes that are unplugged for later work shall be covered
using a plastic cover fixed with a ribbon or rope.
• The Contractor compromises to fulfill what is stablished on the Construction Safety
Regulations of Costa Rica, decree N° 25235 MTSS, during the job execution.
• The staff set for this job by the Contractor shall be qualified and wide experience. All
installations will be done using the best techniques to ensure a sharp and esthetic finish.
• During the construction, the staff shall have a set of plans to write down all corrections
done, which must be reviewed by the COR one a month.
• At the end of the construction, the Contractor shall deliver on a disc or electrical device
to the COR a complete set of plans of the original installations, which must include all
modifications done during its construction.
• The unnoticed omission of a part of the specifications, plans or any material necessary
for the installation of the involved system, does not release the Contractor of its
obligations of deliver and installation. The following documents are considered part of the
present specifications:
• NFPA 70 – National Fire Prevention Association - National Electrical Code® (NEC®),
last edition
• NFPA 70E – National Fire Prevention Association - Electrical Safety Requirements for
Employee Workplaces, last edition
• ARESEP AR-NT-SIUNAC-2015 technical regulation
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
• Handbook for Underground Electrical Distribution Nets 13.8; 24.9 y 34.5 kV, from the
Electrical Distribution Commission, CFIA, July 2015, or its last edition
• Manual de Disposiciones Técnicas Generales Sobre Seguridad Humana y Protección
Contra Incendios, Unidad de Ingeniería de Bomberos Costa Rica, Versión 2013.
• NFPA 72 – 2016 National Fire Alarm Code.
• NFPA 780 – 2014 Standard for the Installation of Lighting Protection Systems.
• Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), valid regulations
• Comisión Nacional de Fuerza y Luz (CNFL), valid regulations
7.3 Plans
The plans show a schematic setting of the general location of equipment, devices and
pipes. The plans and specifications shall be used as a guide; however, the exact
placement, distance and heights must be defined by in site conditions and COR
recommendations. The scaled plans shall not be used to define the exact localization of
any equipment or electrical outlet. Any job or material not included in this section, but
necessary for its correct functioning, must be considered. The Contractor is the
responsible to stablish the appropriate pipe routes according to the building structure and
obstacles, these routes will be presented to the COR through detailed plans for his
revision and approval. The project delivered by the Contractor, must be reviewed and
approved by the COR, Client and/or any authorized institution.
7.3.1 Plans Update
At the end of the project, the Contractor shall deliver the COR a complete set of
installation plans, as well as digital archives (AUTOCAD) which must include all
modifications done to the original plans during the construction (As-built plans), these
plans must be reviewed and presented to the CFIA, for the application process of the
definitive meter and final delivery to the client.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
7.4 Works to Be Performed
7.4.1 Descriptions of Jobs to Realize
The Contractor must include within his offer, all systems and materials specified in plans
and technical specifications, the following are the most important to consider:
• Lightning accessories and lightning installation, according to the distribution and
characteristics indicated in plans
• Construction or installation of posts and connectors of the electrical connections,
according to the ubication and characteristics defined in plans
• Electrical reel installation according to the distributing and characteristics indicated in
plans • Provide and install branch lines: Complete systems for illumination, outlets and
electrical reels
• Provide structural elements such as supports, gauzes, hangers, etc, to obtain a proper
alignment and subjection to the pipes. It is forbidden to use wire as a support method
• The equipment guaranty and technical documents shall be provided to the client.
7.5 MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
7.5.1 General
All materials used in the project must be first quality products according to the specified
and approved by Underwriters Laboratories INC, UL o OSH certified laboratories, as well
as each one of the products that composes a system, must be certified. When two or
more units of the same class of material is required, only one manufacturer will be
accepted. The Contractors offer must consider the materials and equipment specified on
plans. In case of quoting different materials, the Contractor must indicate it with a proper
justification, also must include the price difference between the products. Once the project
is adjudged, the Contractor must present a comparative chart between both products,
annexing the manufacturer’s data technical sheet. Following, the COR will analyze the
documents, approving or denying in case of different characteristics or lower quality to
what is specified in plans or specifications. The above does not imply delays of the project
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
execution schedule. The Contractor is the responsible of taking care and protecting all
materials and equipment until the final delivery of the job. In case of damage, loss or steal,
while storage or installation, the Contractor shall assume the economic costs that the
substitution implies. The equipment guaranty shall be according to what is defined in the
contract or specifications; the Contractor is the responsible of this guaranty and must be
delivered in writing at the final reception of the project.
7.5.2 Pipeline Conduit PVC, EMT and IMC
7.5.2.1 PVC pipeline
Wherever is expressly indicated in plans, the PVC pipes will be made of polyvinyl type
PVC, SCH 40, caliber 40 and the corresponding accessories UL certified. The placement
shall be according to construction plans, however, all pipes set to be placed inside a
concrete wall shall be embedded, also in case of slabs or floors, the pipe must be located
underground. It is not allowed the use and installation of exposed PVC conduit pipes, in
all cases, the pipes shall be EMT, according to the following section. All PVC conduit
pipes must have as much glue as required where it’s needed: unions, curves, etc. The
glue to use will be regular cement solver, certified for its use at Kraloy’s pipes, also must
use the cleaner recommended by manufacturer. In case of bending PVC, SCH40,
diameter 12, 19 and 25 mm, the Contractor shall use a bender for manual EMT with a
spring bender, models as follows: 9040417 (12mm), 9040418 (19mm) and 9040419 (25
mm). To bend bigger diameter, it is allowed to use a traditional EMT bender and heat, as
long as it does not deform or burn the material or cause reductions to the pipe section.
Article 352.24 NEC 2008. Utilize a heat or hot air gun to heat the material, similar to
METABO HE-23-650 CONTROL (50-650°C). The PVC conduit pipes installed inside the
ceiling must be attached to wood or metal structures through supports.
All vertical or horizontal pipes shall be attached and fixed according to Chart 352 – 30
NEC. Chart 6.
Separation between support cording to conduit size:
Conduit Size Maximum separation between supports 19 – 25 [mm] 90 cm 32 – 51 [mm]
1,50 m 63 – 76 [mm] 1,80 m
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
When installed at a building or construction which includes concrete walls, casts, etc, the
conduit pipe shall not be attached until the wet section of the project is concluded and the
wall system is reasonably dry. All pipes must be cleaned using water from a compressor,
to ensure the complete removal of residues.
7.5.2.2 EMT pipe
All pipes exposed to outdoor conditions, shall be EMT type, wherever is indicated in plans
or technical documents the EMT pipe to use shall be metallic, galvanized, similar or better
than Wheatland, UL certified. Unions, connectors and accessories must fulfill the
requirements above. The spacing between supports shall not be longer than 2,9 linear
meters. Each ending must be supported every 1,5 meters. 47 The unions, connectors or
accessories must de designed for this purpose, also, the connections and unions between
items such as boxes or pipes, shall be using pressure accessories, screwed accessories
are not allowed. All pipes must be storage properly, pipes left outdoor shall not be used.
Use manual bender for 13, 19, 25- and 32-mm diameter EMT pipes, for bigger diameters,
utilize hydraulic equipment to bend. Use unions to adjust properly the pipes over different
surfaces, as follows:
• Between two boxes, drivers, etc
• Height changes between walls, slabs, ets
• Direction changes
• Support architectural elements EMT pipes placed in direct contact to the ground, must
be equipped with a PVC sleeve sealed with Duretan to avoid its corrosion, as an
alternative, it is allowed to use a 25 cm height x 15 cm wide concrete base between PVC
and EMT transitions. It is not allowed under any circumstances the installation of
channelings directly over the template structures, as well as over the aluminum used as
structure for suspended ceilings. Using roof nails to attach the channeling is prohibited,
unless the building architecture provides no other option, in this case, the Contractor must
use support to separate the pipes from the roof cover at least 30 cm. All loops provided
and installed at the pipelines shall be double “footing” and made of metal. It is prohibited
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
to use two or more 90° curves on the pipeline between two connection boxes. Utilize
additional boxes y/or conductors if necessary.
7.5.2.3 EMT BX (Biex)
The EMT BX pipes to use must be American line, when delivered to the project; the
pipeline shall be properly protected using a cover. The maximum length of the BX pipeline
will be 1,5 meters.
7.5.3 Conductors
The conductors to install shall fulfill the following characteristics:
• Comply UL50 norms
• Comply IP55 norms
• The body and cover shall be made of free aluminum casting
• The cover must be able to be secured using screws.
• Neoprene packaging • Bolts made of stainless steel
• Conductor finish will be according to COR All conductors must be properly attached to
existing structures, providing the necessary supports for each case. The conductors will
be considered as records; therefore, the covers should always be accessible.
7.5.4 Underground Channelings
The pipeline installed underground shall be PVC with a minimum schedule of 40, will be
settle over a sand layer with a minimum thickness of 10 cm, duly compacted. These pipes
must be covered using three layers, the first one will be made of sand with the same
characteristics as before, the second layer made of lean concrete with a 5 cm thickness,
use backfilling compacted according to plans as the last layer over the pipeline. The
channeling system shall be done using isolation wires similar to RHH/RHW-2/USE-2, wet
and weatherproof. Prior the installation, use a compressor to clean the channelings, in
order to remove any dust or soil residues.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
7.5.5 Supports
The Contractor shall deliver and install all necessary supports, for safe and robust fixing
of the pipes, air pipelines, boxes, equipment, etc. All supports must be metallic, as follows:
• For conduit PVC and EMT, use metallic trapeze supports, composed by all-threaded
screws and rail channels, also must considerer the packing rings required for an
appropriate installation
• The supports used to attach airports, shall be designed for this function, using other
type of supports is forbidden.
• Wood or EMT pipelines cannot be used as supports When attaching the supports to the
surface, the Contractor must ensure that it does not harm walls, beams or any other
construction element, in addition all supports shall be duly plumbed.
7.5.6 Outlet and Inspection Boxes
All electrical outputs referred in plans or technical documents shall be accompanied with
his respective EMT box or thermoplastics, depending on what is needed. 50 All metallic
boxes embedded in concrete, such as walls and concrete slabs, these items must be
painted prior its installation using red color anticorrosive painting. The Contractor is in the
responsibility to determinate the exact ubication of the outlet boxes, considering
architectonical aspects, such as dimensions, characteristics and installation methodology
of the equipment defined by the manufacturer. The outlet for switches, sockets, etc.,
placed next to Work Stations, air racks, vertical racks, will be installed in such way the
appointments doesn’t block the devices, therefore allowing the access and use of the
potency devices. All boxes shall be rigidly secured in its position, and must ensure the
alignment between the box and the finished walls or slabs. When the boxes are located
in columns or over doors, the boxes shall be placed symmetrically to these elements. For
ceilings, the maximum separation between chambers is 20 meters, additionally the
boxers must be attached to the structure using as a minimum two screws, using the
electrical pipelines to support the boxes is prohibited. Metallic boxes associated to
electrical system must be duly grounded according to the National Electrical Code (NEC),
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
article 250 and 314-4. Screwdriver’s points will not be allowed inside the outlet or
inspection boxes under any circumstances.
7.5.7 Low Tension Wiring
The materials to use must fulfill the applicable codes, norms and requirements involved
in this document. In case of conflicts between codes and required standards, the COR
will define the requirements to follow: According to the following standards:
• ANSI C119.1-2006 – American National Standard for Sealed Insulated Underground
Connector System 600V, or its recent version.
• NFPA 70 – National Fire Protection Association, National Electrical Code® (NEC®), last
edition.
• UL 83-2003 (R2006) – Thermoplastic-Insulated Wires and Cables, o su versión más
reciente. The conductors belonging to the branch circuit will be made of cooper, AWG,
THHN unless otherwise is stated in plans or as an underground channeling, which much
comply the requirements stablished previously. The wiring cover must fulfill the following
characteristics:
• Resistance to the fire propagation, according to IEEE-383 norm
• Minimum emissions of dense and dark gases
• Minimum emissions of toxic and corrosive gases
• Resistencia to heat, abrasion, wet, oils, grease and chemical products. For underground
channelings, it’s only allowed to use unipolar type AWG conductors, made of soft cooper
or aluminum alloy, with polyethylene thermal insulation. The wire to use must be similar
or better than RHH/RHW-2/USE-2 for 0,6 KV operating at a temperature of 90°C, also
must fulfill the ASTM- B 800, ASTM-B 801, INTE 20-03-10-05, UL-44, UL-854, o IEC 502,
para cables de 0,6/1 kV, class 2. Conductors shall go inside proper and recognized by
NEC channelings. The Contractor must consider the following chart, which defines the
amount of THHN wires to use depending of the pipe diameter. Chart 7. Amount of THHN
conducts according to the diameter Pipe diameter N° 14 N° 12 N° 10 N° 3 N°6 18 mm 9
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
7 4 2 1 52 19 mm 15 12 9 3 2 25 mm 25 19 15 7 4 Minimum caliber accepted (unless the
COR indicates otherwise):
• Power conductor: 12 AWG
• Control conductor: 18 AWG or as indicated in plans The conductors shall have isolation
for 600V, as follows:
• Up to 7 cooper threads for calibers up to #6 AWG
• Up to 19 cooper threads for calibers from #4 AWG to #4/0 AWG
• Up to 37 cooper threads for calibers up to #4/0 AWG What involves the electrical
system, joints are not allowed, only derivations which will be done using “T” unions,
without cutting the principal conductor. Given this, all lines (F-N-T-TA) should be
continuous from the longer circuit to the power source, is recommended the use of
derivation conductors similar to Scotchlock 562 of 3M, for 10 and 12 calibers. All wires
must be installed in such way they are duly protected from physical damage, rain
exposure, chemical products, high temperature, vapor or water pipes, etc, unless it is
defined the use of special equipment. When wiring terminals, the cable lining should be
cut evenly, additionally, it must reach completely to the terminal, to ensure no parts of it
are left uncovered and exposed. The installation of conductors inside the channelings
shall be done whenever the COR considers it adequate, however, it will not start before
the wet stages, fine coating and pipe cleaning processes are finished. Before installing
the cables, all metallic accessories shall be reviewed and the edges properly filed, this
process is done to prevent damage on the isolation conductors. In case of finding damage
on an isolation conductor, the COR may ask for its replacement.
7.5.8 Systems Identifications
All channelings (each 2m), cable and accessories of any system, must be identified as a
part of the system, using color tapes and identifying the circuit or outlet. Use high-quality
adhesive labels similar to Panduit, prior attaching the labels, clean the surfaces and apply
degreaser to ensure the labels durability, it is allowed to use an isopropyl alcohol solution.
Use danger or alert labels on all electrical equipment exposed or hidden, such as boards,
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
transformers, emergency sources, underground or aerial wiring, etc.; or places where
unauthorized personal may have access to the equipment. The language on the labels
should be Spanish. Wherever it applies, use “electrical danger signals” designed by
Brady. Use voltage level signs on all electrical equipment exposed or hidden, such as
boards, transformers, emergency sources, air conditioner, etc.; or places where
unauthorized personal may have access to the equipment. All labels shall be approved
by the COR prior being attached.
7.5.8.1 Pipes
Pipes, outlet and record boxers, conductors, systems such as telecommunications, fire
alarms, CCTV, etc., shall be properly identified using a label. The labels shall be made of
polyester, auto adhesive, white color and resistant to site conditions, the maximum
separation between labels is 2 meters, using a legend of the system to identify. The letters
used in the labels will be back and the height no less than 5 mm (#18 PVC) for normal
systems. The Contractor will define if he needs bigger dimensions labels; this depends
on the pipe diameter. If the polyester strip does not cover the impression area completely,
add over the label an additional strip of transparent polyester, to cover completely the
impression area. Provide water proof label when it’s required. Consider the following
nomenclature for branch pipes:
• Circuit TA-X
• CCTV-X or DATA-X The “A” indicates the board number, the “X” defines the circuit or
outlet number. Additionally, aside of each circuit or outlet label, identify each system using
3M masking tape with the assigned color of the systems, each 2 meters, according to
plans.
7.5.8.2 Wiring
All cables inside an electrical equipment shall be identified using labels on their ends; this
label must include the circuit’s number of each system and lines involved.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
7.5.8.3 Equipment and Accessories
The labels will be made of polyester, white and auto adhesive; it must include the system,
voltage and circuit number. The letters will be black and the height no less than 4mm (#16
PVC), the legend should not be erased under any circumstances. In case of fire detection
systems, the manual stations, detectors and other components must have the legend “D-
X”, stroboscopic lights and notification system components shall be identified using the
legend: “N-X”. The components of the antitheft, telephone, data and CCTV systems shall
be labeled according to the outlet number, defined by plans.
7.5.8.4 Charge and Data Centers
The Contractor will include labels to describe the equipment’s usage, on both the outside
of the load center lid and inside the equipment (general use, computer system, air
conditions, etc.), as described below:
• On the exterior lid of the board, indicate the board number function, as well as details
regarding the source
• Number the position of each circuit breaker according to what is stablished by the
manufacturer. The labels shall be placed directly over the lid, next to each circuit breaker
and on both right and left sides
• Label each conductor using the branch circuit number neutral, grounded, phase of line.
• The lid label letters shall be black, and a height no less than 5 mm (#18 PC)
7.5.8.5 Circuits Directory
The Contractor shall supply a numbered board inside the charge center, which indicates
the function and localization of the switches for each circuit. This board must be written
clearly and placed behind the lid. The Contractor shall make a report with a proper
description of each one of the circuits according to the charge labels disposed in plans,
using a letter size of #12. This document shall be printed using adhesive paper, and
attached on to the board lid interior, which must indicate as a minimum the circuit number
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
and description. In case the board already exists, the Contractor must verify the existing
information and adjust it to the new systems.
7.5.8.6 Color Code for Wires and Conductors
All wires and conductors shall be installed complying the following color code. It is allowed
the identification using vinyl electrical adhesive tape only on those cases that the wire
isolation color required is not available on the market or the conductor caliber is higher
than #2 AWG. The identification of the wire and conductors will be done on both ends of
the wire:
• Red: Phases
• Blue: Phases
• White: Neutral conductor
• Green: Grounded conductor
7.5.9 Lighting Equipment
The lighting equipment will be as specified in plans and delivered by the Contractor, its
quality must be similar or better than the items indicated in plans and symbology. All
equipment shall have UL certification. In general, the luminaries shall not be installed until
all the civil job procedures are done, these works include painting application or activities
that produces dust or excessive substances that may adhere to the body or equipment
devices. Any modification the COR may found during the inspection of the installed
lighting equipment, which alter the designed own-seal of the lighting equipment, shall be
rejected, therefore the Contractor will be the responsible of substituting the units, under
no additional cost.
7.5.9.1 Lightning
All lighting units shall be delivered with its own lamps and bulbs, according to the specified
in plans, keeping a strict attachment to the nominal tension characteristics, color
temperature, light dispersion angle, nominal potency and compatibility of the bulb and the
luminaire, etc. The luminaries power system from the exit boxes will be done through the
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
usage of THHN conductors, channeled inside corrugated Bx “Biex” pipes, with a cover or
PVC lining, the dimensions shall be according to plans, incorporating the Biex connectors
for the both boxes and lamps. The minimum length of the Bx will be 2.5 meters.
7.5.9.1.1 Interiors
The body of patched or embedded luminaries installed on a suspended ceiling shall carry
a minimum of four tensors or galvanized wire hangers, #16 caliber, duly attached to the
metallic or concrete building structure, through the usage of bolts.
7.5.9.1.2 Exteriors
In the case of exteriors and humid areas, all the illumination equipment to deliver and
install shall have seal characteristics according to the standards: IP-65 and/or NEMA 1,
2, 3, 3R, 4, 4X and from 5 to 13, UL certified, according to plans.
7.5.9.2 Emergency Ballasts
When the plans indicate the incorporation of emergency ballasts in the luminaries, will
be required that these items are installed previously by the equipment manufacturer, this
is to ensure the correct compatibility and operation of all devices, as well as have the
guarantee and UL certification. The Contractor shall run charge and discharge battery
tests, to guarantee the correct operation of the emergency device.
7.5.10 Switch and Power Outlet Systems
All accessories and systems shall be installed once the painting works on site are done.
When being installed, the Contractor shall ensure the usage of materials that does not
cause damage on the isolation conductor or maintenance staff. It is not allowed the usage
of final sharp section that may cause damages on the isolation connectors or to the
network maintenance staff. When installed in wet or outside areas, the installing shall
include outdoor lid on both switches and outlet systems.
7.5.10.1 Light Switches
The light switches shall be silent, one pole with mechanical operation, lever action, 125V,
20 A, simple, double, three or four tracks, ivory color, Specification Grade and/or
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
TradeMaster similar or better than Pass & Seymour and Hubbell, or what is specified in
the symbology, considering the following characteristics:
• Lateral or posterior wiring, cables from #14 to #10 AWG
• Designed with a positive action to minimize arcs and extend the switch useful life
• Strong thermoplastic lever
• Oversized contact plate dimensions to ensure a longer durability of the item, as well as
a better heat dissipation
• Thermoplastic body and cover for a better heat resistance
• UL certification or equivalent All light swtiches shall be installed 110 cm away from the
SNPT center, the Contractor must comply the 7600 Law “Igualdad de Oportunidades para
las personas con discapacidad” and 8661 Law “Convención sobre los derechos de las
personas con discapacidad y su protocolo facultativo” When being installed, the
Contractor shall ensure the use of materials which does not cause damage on the
isolation conductor or maintenance staff.
7.5.10.2 Power Outlets
The power outlets shall be double, polarized and commercial usage, grounded
125V/20A, same or better than Pass & Seymour and Hubbell, or the one indicated in the
symbology, UL certified. Additionally the system exposed to outdoors conditions, shall be
protected by a plate, which may be individual for each outlet or a unique plate to cover
both outlets, it is recommended models similar or better than HBL5205WO or RW51020,
from Hubbell manufacturer. The wiring connection of switches and outlets shall be done
using lateral screws, through the rear pierces disposed by the manufacturer. Prior this,
the Contractor shall make the joints between the source lines (F-N-T), in such way only
one is connected to the receptacle, the “bridge” through line is prohibited.
7.5.10.3 Emergency Unit Reel
The Contractor must install #10 cables retractile reels at the engine room for each
Emergency Unit, to be installed in the ceiling of this room and hanging in the left side of
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
each unit, the cable length will depend on the reel ubication respecting the emergency
unit. Each reel has to be built for the defined usage, the cable must be flexible and oil
resistant, the lining will be outdoor resistant, similar or better than SJEOW, using three
wire threads, caliber #12, 1800W capacity, 15 A, 12V, 15 meters length and 4 outlets type
NEMA 5-15P. The reel quality shall be the same or better than Bayco SL-8906. Each reel
must be connected to an independent circuit break of 20 A on the load center. 7.5.10.4
Overvoltage protection the transient suppressor must be designed, built and tested
according to the UL 1449 and 1283 standards, as well as certified by the CSA 22.2 norm.
Operation voltage: 120/208 V, or as indicated in plans Maximum operation continuous
voltage must be approximately 115% of the nominal voltage system. The suppressor shall
provide protection in all possible ways: line-neutral, line ground and neutral ground on
system which employs star connections. The equipment shall be built in such way each
phase possesses a suppression module. The transistor suppressor will be equipped
using with an audible alarm, which will active when a suppression module reaches its full
useful life. The equipment must have balanced suppression platforms, electrical noise
filter (55 db to 100 KHz), internal connections through low impedance conductors, self-
diagnosis and event counter. Unless the suppressor is duly installed by the manufacturer
and incorporated to the remaining elements that composes the load center or board, it is
required the utilization of protection circuit breakers recommended by the manufacturer.
8 MECHANICAL INSTALLATIONS
8.1 Applicable publications
The following publications are part of this Specification document, and apply to the pipe
network installation and inspection chambers construction:
● Installation: Código de Instalaciones Hidráulicas y Sanitarias en Edificaciones del CFIA
de Costa Rica (Code of Hydraulic and Sanitary Installations for Buildings, CFIA, Costa
Rica)
● Ley #7600 “Igualdad de Oportunidades para las Personas con Discapacidad” (#7600
Law “Equal Opportunities for Disabled People”)
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
8.2 General
8.2.1 Approval requests Isometric sketches will be submitted for the CORs approval.
Approval requests must include equipment dimensions, accessories, installation area,
dimension compatibility, and installation details. Anchor and connecting elements
information must also be included. Element fabrication will not start until isometric
sketches are approved, as required by the COR.
8.2.2 Samples
Equipment and material samples must be provided if the CORs requests it.
8.2.3 Drawings and Specifications
Drawings and specifications must be taken as complementary, and the Contractor is
required to submit any necessary written request to the mechanical COR regarding any
need for clarification. Every installation detail will be taken, as “schematic”, and the
Contractor will consider the cost of any challenge indicated in drawings. 8.2.4 Scope All
materials, tools, equipment or minor details not shown in drawings or specifications, but
necessary for a correct installation and operation, will be included in the project at no
additional cost for the Owner, which is hiring a complete functional project, not only a
system. The subcontractors and the General Contractor will define their own contract
scopes, finally delivering one dully finished project at the deadline. It is common for the
civil works contractor to include any concrete necessary for equipment mounting bases,
Inspection chambers and drains. A mechanic specialist will install control circuits, electric
panel and every equipment’s on/off switch, while electric piping and power wiring will be
installed by the electrical specialist.
8.2.5 Approval
Material, accessories and equipment that lack the CORs written approval will not be
accepted. The minimum requirements for approval are: New material or equipment, no
manufacturing defects, manufacturer’s warranty, U.L. seal and that it complies with the
previously mentioned specifications and drawings.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
8.2.6 Brands and Models
Any specified brand or model must be taken as reference. The contractor will be able to
submit for CORs consideration any similar brand or model, provided that they share the
same operation conditions, and equipment or accessory standard. In special cases, the
change approval must be backed by a technical opinion that may require professional
responsibility commitments regarding eventual designs. Any change must be submitted
for the CORs approval.
8.2.7 As Built Drawings
The contractor must draw up to date plans according to the projects development, which
must be delivered when the COR requires so and when changes need to be approved.
They will be printed or in a digital format and a defined scale, as requested by the COR.
Once the project is finished, the Contractor will deliver three sets of drawings to the COR.
The drawings must include as-built installation details, indicating the exact equipment
location, and providing its characteristics, materials, origin, duct and pipe dimensions,
valves, accessories and flow values, as well as any other information that the COR
requires. 64 Once the work is accepted, the Contractor will deliver a compact disk, or any
other digital storage unit, with a set of drawings to the COR, containing all requested
corrections. All drawings must be done using computer software (such as AutoCad) and
delivered in print with the scale defined by the COR.
8.3 Stormwater Systems
8.3.1 Approvals
The general requirements for the mechanical system apply to drainpipes, gutters, pipes,
Inspection chambers, wells and drains. If concrete piping is specified in drawings, ASTM
C-14 standard will apply to concrete pipe without reinforcement bars, and ASTM C-44365
standard will apply. Any material to be used must be approved by the COR.
8.3.2 Pipe Installation for External Work
The main pipe will be installed following both the vertical and horizontal lines, as well as
the slope indicated in drawings. It will be placed in the South side of avenues and East
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
side of streets, unless otherwise noted. The pipe will be installed starting from the lowest
point of each section, so that each pipe spigot points to the following pipes bell in the
water direction. Trenches will have a firm bottom with the pipes required slope, so that no
height adjustments using soil, or any other material, are required. Poor strength concrete
fixtures will support underground piping. Small excavations shall be done inside the
trenches, with enough size to fit the pipes’ union bells. With the final purpose of avoiding
pipe settlements 65 inside the trench, prevent the union bell from receiving ground
pressure and facilitate the sealing joints procedure. This will help with pipe settlements
and excessive ground pressures, as well as with the pipes joint sealing process.
8.3.3 Pipe
Installation for interior work:
a) PVC pipes: When using plastic pipes, the unions or joints will be cleaned using acetone
and a bevel will be done, in the same way that the Durman y Esquivel S.A. technical
manual indicates. All ventilation columns will be PVC, unless otherwise indicated in
drawings.
b) Trenches: Trenches will have a firm bottom with the pipes required slope, so that no
height adjustments using soil, or any other material, are needed. Poor strength concrete
fixtures will support underground piping.
c) Inspection chambers: Inspection chambers will be built in the places indicated in
drawings. They will be placed in the lower end of downspouts and at pints that an abrupt
pipe direction change is needed.
8.3.4 Accessories
All of the employed accessories will come from the same manufacturer.
8.3.5 Tests
Stormwater and wastewater piping will be tested when completed, for which the CORs
indicated procedure would be used. If the tests results are not satisfactory, the network
will be drained and damaged elements replaced. Epoxy resin repairs, and defective
concrete blocks are not allowed. The tests will be repeated after the appropriate repairs
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
are done, as many times as needed. The test, materials, equipment and labor employed
for this purpose must be considered as part of the Contractors cost. Programming of
partial tests of different pipe sections, before closing any trenches or pipes, by the
Contractor is highly advised. All structural and architectonic damages caused by the
sewer and storm network during tests or reparations must be correctly fixed by the
Contractor and submitted to the COR for approval. The Contractor will assume these
costs.
8.3.6 Pipes and Accessories
The pipes and accessories for the drainages and ventilation will be made of Polyvinyl
chloride (PVC). The polyvinyl chloride pipes (PVC), as well as their respective
accessories will comply with NTC norms 369, 1087 and 1341, and standards ASTM
D2665-82 and CS 272-65. The joints between the PVC pipes and accessories shall be
made using a cleaning compound and a glue solution, or the joints could be done using
elements with tapped extremes, if approved by the COR. Floor sumps. The floor sumps
shall be vertically adjusted to the floor level. For diameters of 3” or more, the body will be
made of galvanized cast iron, brass strainer, and polish nickel finished. For diameters of
2” or less, the body and the strainer shall be made of brass and polish nickel finished.
Roof and terrace sumps. The rainwater sumps in roofs and terraces shall be formed by
semi-rounded iron racks, like a cage to enable a quick flow of the rainwater, but at the
same time, prevents the entrance of garbage or other material that could plug the
downpipes. In both cases, before they are installed, the racks shall have two coats of
non-corrosive paint. Check boxes. The check boxes shall be built according to drawings.
8.4 Construction
8.4.1 Equipment and Material Management
Materials must be protected from corrosion, deformation or any damage. Metal pipes
must be stored in a closed area, without soil and external weather contact. The
Contractor, at no additional cost, shall replace any damaged material. After approval
material, it will be stored to prevent it from suffering damage.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
8.4.2 Materials
Any exposed pipe will be galvanized iron, painted according to drawings and
specifications requirements. Painting of any steel element will be done according to the
following procedure: A mechanical cleaning of the pipe will be performed (using steel
brush, circular saw or water sandpaper. If the surface is galvanized, a Wash Primer
00238-100 must be used, Sur brand or similar. When the first coat is completely dry, the
specified anticorrosive will be used, following the manufacturer’s instructions. To dilute
use Sur 00456-900 Sur thinner or similar, with no more than 15% by volume.
8.4.3 Concrete Casting
The Contractor has the obligation to notify, with one-week notice, the next concrete
casting dates that involve mechanical pipes, for the CORs approval. Casting start is not
authorized if the COR. does a complete verification of the electromechanical system. If
formwork blocks the view for checking the mechanical system, the COR must be done
prior to formwork starting. When pressure pipes are placed underground, a concrete
anchor must be casted at every direction change.
8.4.4 Supports
Supports equal or similar to those specified in drawings or these specifications must be
used. Plastic anchor supports or supports fixed to fragile elements will not be allowed in
any case. The indicated support, according to plans, must be installed between the
maximum spacing allowed by the manufacturer. The use of temporary anchors is allowed
as long as the final supports aren’t placed and don’t represent a danger to the workers or
damage the pipe.
8.4.5 Installation Considerations
All pipe ends will be plugged to avoid any obstruction during the construction process.
8.4.6 Tests
The Contractor will be obliged to perform any kind of operation test, in any part of the
mechanical system that the COR requires. Each test will be 69 performed according to
the specifications or the manufacturers’ advice, unless a standard for the test exists, in
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
which case said procedure will follow. 8.4.7 Work reception Mechanical installations
works will not be accepted before a final inspection is performed, for which a deep
element cleaning is required. All labels, glue residue, rust or packing box will be removed
without affecting any material or equipment. Any defective paint trace will be removed at
no additional cost 8.4.8 System performance guarantee The Mechanical Contractor will
guarantee in writing, and by a year, that every equipment, material and installation work
are free of any defect and that they will work in an optimal way, according to design. Any
damage presented during the mentioned timeline, according to the above-described
deficiencies, will be repaired by the Contractor at no additional cost. Likewise, any
architectonic or structural element that is damaged during the repairing process will be
the Contractors responsibility.
8.5 Protection
All exposed piping will be protected with anticorrosive paint and coating. Underground
piping will have a minimum 60 cm depth measured from the pipes crown to the finished
surface level. The Contractor will be responsible for any pipe that does not meet these
criteria and covering them with the appropriate material thickness. The Contractor must
verify the pipes line, making sure of that it does not cross any structural, architectonic or
natural element that may damage it during service or installation.
Date
The INL Section requires this work to be completed by November 30, 2020.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
All firms that respond to the solicitation must be technically qualified and financially
responsible to provide the equipment. At a minimum, each offeror must meet the following
requirements when submitting its proposal:
• Be able to understand written and spoken English/Spanish
• If the contract is over $30,000 the vendor must have or be able to obtain a unique
DUNS and Bradstreet number, NCAGE code and be registered in the System for
Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov/ )
• Have an established business with a permanent address and telephone listing
• Have the necessary personnel, equipment and financial resources available to
perform the work
• Have all licenses and permits required by local law
• Meet all local insurance requirements
• Have no adverse criminal record
• Have no political or business affiliation which could be considered contrary to the
interests of the United States
• Have good past performance records
• Identify specialized experience and technical competence required for the work in
accordance with this solicitation
If interested in competing, please provide a written letter of your willingness to participate
and your quotation. Direct all the correspondence to Sheena Hall: Contracting
Officer/General Services Office/U.S. Embassy/San Jose, Costa Rica and send it by email
to Mariela Ruiz at [email protected] before November 03, 2020.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
October 20, 2020
US EMBASSY SAN JOSE
INL Procurement Support Office
Avenida 0, Calle 120 Pavas, San Jose
Costa Rica
Tel: (506) 2519-2000
E-mail: [email protected]
Combined Synopsis and Solicitation PR9467432
The US Embassy San Jose hereby provides the following Combined Synopsis and
Solicitation for:
SVA HANGAR ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY & STORM WATER WORKS AT BASE 2
The evaluation of offers will be based on the Lowest- Priced, Technically Acceptable
(LPTA) approach.
C.1 Synopsis:
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items/services prepared in
accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional
information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation;
offers are requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation
number is PR9467432 and it is issued as a Request for Quotations (RFQ), unless
otherwise indicated herein. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and
clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2005-100,
effective August 22, 2018.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
C.2 Contract Type:
The Government intends to award a single, firm fixed-price contract to the responsible
offeror whose offer is evaluated as the lowest-priced and technically acceptable. The
total price shall include all labor, equipment, delivery charges, materials, overhead,
profit, insurance, and all other expenses necessary to deliver the required furniture. No
additional sums will be payable due of any escalations in the cost of materials,
equipment, or labor, or because of the Contractor’s failure to properly estimate or
accurately predict the cost or difficulty of achieving the results required by this contract.
Nor will the contract price be adjusted because of fluctuations in currency exchange
rates.
C.3 Term of Contract:
This ensuing contract shall be effective from the date of the Contracting Officer’s
signature and shall remain valid until all items have been received and accepted by the
Government.
C.4 Compliance with Specifications:
Offerors shall also provide with their offer, at a minimum, existing product literature
from the manufacturer or a third party (i.e., clearly identifying the source) substantiating
the acceptability of their offered products in accordance with this solicitation’s
specifications provided. Failure to provide this information will result in a ‘non-
responsive’ offer and removal from award consideration.
C.5 Descriptive Literature
Definition: (a) "Descriptive literature" means information (e.g., cuts, illustrations,
drawings and original manufacturers' brochures) that is submitted as part of an offer.
Descriptive literature is required to establish, for the purpose of evaluation and award,
details of the product offered that are specified elsewhere in the solicitation and pertain
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
to significant elements such as
(1) Design;
(2) Materials;
(3) Components;
(4) Performance characteristics; and
(5) Methods of manufacture, assembly, construction, or operation. The term includes
only information required to determine the technical acceptability of the offered
product. It does not include other information such as that used in determining the
responsibility of a prospective contractor or for operating or maintaining equipment.
Descriptive literature must be:
(1) Identified to show the item(s) of the offer to which it applies and
(2) Received by the time specified in this solicitation for receipt of offers.
(c) Data displaying more than one model or size shall be clearly marked to indicate
the specific item being offered.
(d) Offers that do not present sufficient information to permit complete technical
evaluation by the Government may be rejected. It is the offeror’s responsibility to prove
that their proposed solution meets the requested specifications, subject to any
limitations elsewhere in this solicitation.
C.6 Other Specific Requirements:
• If applicable, the Contractor shall comply with all import requirements
mandated by the government of Costa Rica. Furthermore, the Contractor shall
provide all the necessary documentation required at destination for importation
of the proposed good.
• All manuals and literature shall be in the English and Spanish language
C.7 Basis of Price:
The Contractor shall provide a copy in English of the applicable manufacturer’s
commercial warranty for the good covered by such a warranty at no additional cost
to the Government.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
C.8 Delivery:
Delivery shall be made CIF destination as soon as possible but not later than Thirty
(30) calendar days from the date of contract award.
The contractor shall deliver the service to the following address:
SVA Base 2. Next to the Santamaria Terminals at the Juan Santamaria’s
International Airport. Alajuela, Costa Rica.
C.9 Coordination:
The Contractor shall coordinate the delivery with the Point of Contact (POC) for this
order. Shipping documents for the items being shipped shall be sent to the POC prior
to delivery.
[POC will be provided upon award.]
C.10 Condition of Delivered Goods:
The goods shall be supplied in an appropriate quality and condition.
C.11 Inspection and Acceptance of the goods/service:
The U.S. Government shall perform the inspection and acceptance of the
goods/service. The payment(s) to the Contractor shall be made following satisfactory
inspection and acceptance of the goods/service, and upon presentation of the
certificates of origin or good title to the POC.
C.12 Applicable Clauses and Provisions
The full text of the referenced FAR and DOSAR clauses may be accessed electronically
at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/ and http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vfdosara.htm, respectively.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
The selected Offeror must comply with the following commercial item terms and
conditions, which are incorporated herein by reference:
FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition;
FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items – to be
completed with other certifications and submitted with the offer; FAR 52.212-4,
Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items; FAR 52.211-6, FAR 52.247-42,
FAR 52.225-14, FAR 52.225-
13, FAR, FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement
Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items; the applicable clauses under
paragraph (b) are: 52.204-10, 52.209-6, 52.223-18, 52.225-13, [U.S. firms: 52.222-
21, 52.222-26, 52.222-35, 52.222-36, 52.222-37], 52.222-50, 52.232-33, 52.232-40,
and DOSAR 652.232-70, DOSAR 652.242-73 and DOSAR 652.243-70. DOSAR
652.225-71
The following and provision(s) are provided in full text:
C.13 Addendum to 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Items (Oct 2014)
The Government intends to award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the
responsible offeror (as determined within the meaning of FAR Part 9, paragraph 9.104),
whose offer conforms to the solicitation and is determined to be the most advantageous
solution to the Government, price and other factors considered. Evaluation will be based
on offeror’s submission and the provision at FAR 52.212-2, as provided in this
solicitation.
The Government has the right to award without any discussions.
(a) The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:
(i) Price
The price will be evaluated by the lowest aggregate sum of the items
including any delivery charges, etc. The U.S. Embassy San José, Costa Rica
is VAT exempt and can provide documentation, if needed.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
(ii) Technical Capability/Acceptability
Technical capability is equal to price.
(b) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer mailed or otherwise furnished
to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall
result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offeror’s
specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer),
whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of
withdrawal is received before award.
(End of provision)
C.14 52.214-34 Submission of Offers in the English Language (Apr 1991)
Offers submitted in response to this solicitation shall be in the English language. Offers
received in other than English shall be rejected.
(End of Provision)
C.15 52.225-17 Evaluation of Foreign Currency Offers (Feb 2000)
If the Government receives offers in more than one currency, the Government will
evaluate offers by converting the foreign currency to United States currency using
http://ice.cgfs.state.sbu/ in effect as follows:
(1) On the date specified for receipt of offers, if award is based
on initial offers; otherwise
(2) On the date specified for receipt of proposal revisions.
(End of provision)
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
C.16 Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 Instruction to Offerors – Commercial Items (Aug
2018)
Pursuant to FAR 12.302(d), the provision at FAR 52.212-1, Instruction to Offerors
– Commercial Items (Jan 2017) is augmented as follows: Preparation of Offers -
Offerors shall prepare and submit its offer in two (2) volumes as set forth below.
Preparation of Offers - Offerors shall prepare and submit offers to Mariela Ruiz, via
email to: [email protected] In addition, offerors shall complete and submit the
following:
C.17 VOLUME I:
1. PRICING
The offeror shall complete a table in order to submit its offer. The format will be provided
before the site visit.
2. REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Items (Aug
2018)
Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items - the selected offeror
must submit a completed copy of the listed representations and certifications. A
completed copy of these provisions MUST be included on the System for Award
Management (SAM) web site located
at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/
If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications
electronically, the Offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (u) of this provision.
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
C.18 VOLUME II:
1. TECHNICAL CAPABILITY
The proposed good shall meet all of the minimum technical specifications and
the delivery terms contained herein. In addition, the offeror shall provide:
(A) Descriptive Literature if offering other than the named brand.
(B) A delivery confirmation providing a detailed schedule for this project
(C) Warranty provisions:
The Contractor agrees that the good furnished under this contract shall
be covered by the most favorable manufacturer’s commercial warranty
the Contractor gives to any customer for such good and that the rights
and remedies provided herein are in addition to and do not limit any rights
afforded to the Government by any other clause of this contract.
The Contractor shall provide a copy in English of the applicable
manufacturer’s commercial warranty with the good covered by such a
warranty at no additional cost to the Government.
(D) Technical Compliance Matrix (Brand Name or Equal):
Submission of Offers:
The complete offer submission shall include:
(1) Price Offer and Representations and Certifications
(2) Technical Capability – Volume II – Parts (A) thru (D)
SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS
C.19 Submission of Questions:
Interested parties may submit any questions concerning the solicitation not later than
16:00 hrs. On Thursday, November 29, 2020 via email to Mariela Ruiz at
[email protected] Late questions may not be considered. The email subject line
must read “Solicitation PR9467432”.
C.20 Site Visit:
Site Visit is scheduled for Tuesday November 27, 2020 at 11:00am at Base 2,
Alajuela.
C.21 Offer due date:
Offers shall be submitted not later than 16:00 hrs. On Tuesday, November 03,
2020 via email to Mariela Ruiz at [email protected]
The email subject line must read “Solicitation PR9467432”. The size shall not
exceed 20MB.
C.22 Late submissions shall not be considered.
Applicable laws and regulations: Solicitation and award will be subject to laws and
regulations of the United States of America.