Specifications/Special Provisions

General
Specifications are the directions, provisions and requirements outlining the description of work and the methods and manner the work is to be performed. Specifications and special provisions for highway and road projects are an integral part of the contract between the LG and the contractor. TxDOT maintains
standard specifications, special specifications and required special provisions
for use on road and highway projects in Texas.
Federal Requirements
  1. 23 CFR §630.205(b)
    – Requires plans and specifications to describe the location and design features and the construction requirements in sufficient detail to facilitate the construction and contract control of the project.
  2. 23 CFR §630.205(e)
    and
    23 CFR §635.309(a)
    – Provides that FHWA authorization to advertise for receipt of bids will not be given until the plans, specifications and estimate (PS&E) have been approved.
  3. 23 CFR §635.411
    – Prohibits referencing proprietary materials in the specifications unless supported by an approved public interest finding.
  4. FHWA Guidelines for Preparation of Plans, Specifications and Estimates
    (formerly the Federal-aid Policy Guide Non-regulatory Supplement to 23 CFR Part 630 Subpart B) – Contains guidelines for the preparation of the PS&E and definitions for standard specifications, special specifications and special provisions. NOTE: FHWA approves the use of
    TxDOT standard specifications, special specifications and special provisions
    on federally funded projects.
State Requirements
  1. 43 TAC §15.56
    – Requires the use of the latest
    TxDOT standard specifications, special specifications and special provisions
    for projects on the state highway system. In addition, it requires all PS&E to be approved by the department prior to advertisement for bids on the project. If the LG desires to propose alternate specifications for a project on the state highway system, it may request TxDOT approval of alternate specifications for:
    1. projects with a pass-through financing arrangement (
      43 TAC §5.59
      );
    2. regional mobility authority projects connecting to the state highway system (
      43 TAC §26.33
      ); and
    3. toll projects (
      43 TAC §27.56
      ).
Required Practices
In general, the LG must either adopt the latest TxDOT standard specifications, applicable special specifications and required special provisions or request TxDOT approval of alternate, equivalent specifications. The
LGPM Guide
provides a detailed description of the required practices for developing specifications that must be used by the LG in order to obtain approval by TxDOT.