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Geotechnical Engineering Proposal <br />Participate in Development of the <br />Subsurface Exploration Plan <br />Geotechnical engineering begins with the creation of an <br />effective subsurface exploration plan. This proposal starts <br />the process by presenting an initial plan. While that plan <br />may consider the unique physical attri butes of the site <br />and the improvements you have in mind, it probably <br />does not consider your unique goals, objectives, and risk <br />management preferences. Subsurface exploration plans that <br />are finalized without considering such factors presuppose <br />that clients’ needs are unimportant, or that all clients have <br />the same needs. Avoid the problems that can stem from <br />such assumptions by finalizing the plan and other scope <br />elements directly with the geotechnical engineer you feel is <br />best qualified for the project, along with the other project <br />professionals whose plans are affected by the geotechnical <br />engineer’s findings and recommendations. If you have been <br />told that this step is unnecessary; that client preferences do <br />not influence the scope of geotechnical engineering service <br />or that someone else can articulate your needs as well as <br />you, you have been told wrong. No one else can discuss your <br />geotechnical options better than an experienced geotechnical <br />engineer, and no one else can provide the input you can. <br />Thus, while you certainly are at liberty to accept a proposed <br />scope “as is,” recognize that it could be a unilateral scope <br />developed without direct client/engineer discussion; that <br />authorizing a unilateral scope will force the geotechnical <br />engineer to accept all assumptions it contains; that <br />assumptions create risk. Manage your risk. Get involved. <br />Expect the Unexpected <br />The nature of geotechnical engineering is such that planning <br />needs to anticipate the unexpected. During the design phase <br />of a project, more or deeper borings may be required, <br />additional tests may become necessary, or someone <br />associated with your organization may request a service that <br />was not included in the final scope. During the construction <br />phase, additional services may be needed to respond quickly <br />to unanticipated conditions. In the past, geotechnical <br />engineers commonly did whatever was required to oblige <br />their clients’ representatives and safeguard their clients’ <br />interests, taking it on faith that their clients wanted them to <br />do so. But some, evidently, did not, and refused to pay for <br />legitimate extras on the ground that the engineer proceeded <br />without proper authorization, or failed to submit notice in a <br />timely manner, or failed to provide proper documentation. <br />What are your preferences? Who is permitted to author ize <br />additional geotechnical services on your project? What type of <br />documentation do you require? To whom should it be sent? <br />When? How? By addressing these and similar issues sooner <br />rather than later, you and your geotechnical engineer will be <br />prepared for the unexpected, to help prevent molehills from <br />growing into mountains. <br />Have Realistic Expectations; <br />Apply Appropriate Preventives <br />The recommendations included in a geotechnical <br />engineering report are not final, because they are based <br />on opinions that can be verified only during construction. <br />For that reason, most geotechnical engineering proposals <br />offer the construction observation services that permit the <br />geotechnical engineer of record to confirm that subsurface <br />conditions are what they were expected to be, or to modify <br />recommendations when actual conditions were not <br />anticipated. An offer to provide construction observation <br />Important Information about This <br />Subsurface problems are a principal cause of construction delays, cost overruns, claims, and disputes. <br />While you cannot eliminate all such risks, you can manage them. The following information is provided to help. <br />DocuSign Envelope ID: 7577D775-B779-4E56-9B57-400C7C84145CDocuSign Envelope ID: D4FF8BCD-1E44-413E-9A62-99BE724EBEE4