ICI/INDOT Statewide Meeting Wrap-Up

The ICI/INDOT Statewide Joint Cooperative Committee met on May 3. Co-Chair Todd Fredrick introduced INDOT’s Director of Materials Management and Construction John Leckie, who has stepped in to fill the vacant co-chair spot left by the recently retired Mark Miller.

ICI’s Calvin Lee summarized ICI/INDOT Work Zone Task Group’s recent efforts for early industry input on work-in-progress contracts, increased law enforcement hours and consideration for Interstate Highway Congestion Policy exceptions. The committee continued discussion of greater emphasis on partnering best practices for inclusion in pre-construction meeting agendas, and INDOT’s capacity to track change order, progress estimate and purchase order processing. Mr. Leckie is currently reviewing INDOT’s capabilities for tracking change orders and progress estimates, but is not optimistic about purchase orders.

See the minutes to review discussion of new committee topics: 1) Grade correction related pay items for resurfacing work; 2) communication between IDEM, INDOT and contractors; 3) storm water quality; and 4) Owners and Contractors Protective Liability coverage. INDOT announced plans to begin requiring electronic payroll reporting in July 2017. Open forum topics included an inquiry from industry about availability of DBE bid files (DBE.BIN) prior to lettings and the required trainee to journeyman ratio.

Please contact Dan Osborn to discuss current topics or new developing issues.

Spring Joint Cooperative Wrap-up – Statewide Meeting

The ICI/INDOT Statewide Joint Cooperative Committee leaders have committed to identifying a process to improve processing of change orders from preliminary approval to execution and payment. Committee leadership advocated consistent documentation and regular communication as tools that assist in meeting expected timelines. ICI staff is currently updating the committee-generated change order request form available on ICI’s website. The form is intended to streamline the change order generation and INDOT review process by reducing hold points due to lack of information. Statewide Joint Committee leadership will study pay estimate processing expectations during monthly meetings.

Hydrodemolition waste water hauling is working itself up the committee issue list. INDOT and local communities are spending significant construction budget dollars as a result of the recent direction to remove all hydrodemolition waste water from the construction site and haul it to an approved treatment facility that may be tens, if not hundreds, of miles from the site. ICI is working with INDOT Environmental Division to identify a process to land apply the water on or near the construction site.

Newly adopted Portable Rumble Strips (RSP 801-T-209) are intended to obtain motorist attention and slow vehicles down prior to entering work zones. Committee members discussed expanded specified implementation such as semi-stationary flagging locations and patching work.

AGC to document federal change order challenges

Change orders are a way of life on any construction projects. However, that is no excuse for federal agencies taking many months or even years to process and pay change orders.  Please complete this brief survey to help AGC gauge how bad the change order process is on your federal construction projects. All survey responses are anonymous and allow AGC to better articulate the problems you face when working for federal construction agencies. Participate in the survey here.