Overview

A Change Order (CO) is used to amend the contract work, whenever a significant change in the character of the work occurs or a time modification is required. Refer to Article 4.4, “Changes in the Work”, of the
Standard Specifications
, the P-CST-001, “Construction and Maintenance Contract Administration – Change Order Policy”, and the CST SOP 01-22, “Change Order Process”
.
Unless otherwise specified in the contract, a significant change in character of the work occurs when:
  • the character of the work for any item as altered differs materially in kind or nature from that in the contract or
  • a major item of work varies more than 25% from the original contract quantity,
    except for non-site-specific contracts
    .
The
Standard Specification
 defines a “Major Item”, as “An item of work included in the contract that has a total cost equal to or greater than 5% of the original contract or $100,000, whichever is less”. Note that a major item at the time of bid will remain a major item. Neither a CO or an overrun will change an original bid item into a major item.
When generating the final estimate, line numbers with the Major Item indicator (M) that have an overrun/underrun of +/- 25% will populate a deficiency. Review the Over-Under Run Report by Item to identify the major items for the project. If the major items are within the 25% variance, a CO is not required. Follow the steps in the SiteManager Contract Administration Manual to remove the estimate deficiency. If there is an overrun/underrun of the +/- 25%, review the Over-Under Run Report by Line Nbr to determine which line item(s) will need to be adjusted by CO.
COs must be processed in a timely manner. Ensure that the CO is approved before beginning the changed or altered work; the Area Engineer (AE) may give verbal approval prior to formal approval in SiteManager (written documentation stating the date of verbal approval is required).
A CO is required for the contract amendments listed below:
  • an error or omission in the contract (for consultant contracts refer to Professional Engineering Procurement Services Division (PEPS) procedures)
  • differing site conditions
  • adding a specification
  • adding new items of work
  • resolving a dispute
  • changing the sequence of work
  • other contract changes
  • major item over run or under run
    .
A CO may not be required for
 the contract amendments listed below. Show the following amendments in the final (as-built) plans:
  • Slight change, relocation, or adjustment
    • of a crossroad drainage facility or drainage channel; the flow line, grade, or the skew of a drainage pipe or culvert.
    • of the road grade line
    • signal pole, or illumination pole foundation
    • addition or deletion of a driveway pipe
Submit COs requiring a design exception to the appropriate division (Design, Bridge, or Traffic Safety) for approval.