Special OCA Bulletin (3/24/2020)
ODOT Statement Regarding COVID-19 Response
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ODOT Statement Regarding COVID-19 Response
The Ohio Department of Transportation has issued the following statement regarding their intentions to continue to prosecute the program in light of COVID-19 impacts and transportation construction activities being granted an essential infrastructure exemption as defined in the Governor’s Stay-At-Home Order. We appreciate that the DeWine administration and ODOT continue to view the maintenance, construction and reconstruction of Ohio’s highways, bridge and other public works as an essential function in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus.
Should you have additional questions please contact OCA staff and make reference to the many guidance documents that can be found on www.ohiocontractors.org.
TO: The Contracting Community
District Deputy Directors
District Capital Program Administrators
District Construction Engineers
FROM: Dave Slatzer, P.E. Deputy Director, Division of Construction Management
SUBJECT: COVID-19/Coronavirus – Potential Impacts to Construction Contracts
DATE: March 24, 2020
As a follow-up to the March 16, 2020 letter, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has received many questions regarding the COVID-19/Coronavirus impacts to construction projects. In response to those questions, ODOT would like to issue the following clarifications and positions.
1. COVID-19/Coronavirus project specific impacts
The majority of questions and concerns have been related to potential project delays caused by the COVID- 19/Coronavirus through:
• Staffing and labor availability;
• Material and supply availability;
• Workplace safety concerns; and
• Utility relocation delays.
ODOT is requesting that all contractors work to identify specific circumstances directly caused by the COVID- 19/Coronavirus that:
A. May require a revision to the Contract Documents in accordance with ODOT Construction and Material Specification (CMS) Section 104.02 et seq.;
B. May result in a dispute as defined in CMS 101.03 and has the potential to trigger the Department’s
Dispute Resolution Process as described in CMS 108.02(G); or
C. May require a Time Extension to the Completion Date as described in CMS 108.06.
ODOT will handle all specific, identifiable impacts directly caused by the COVID-19/Coronavirus to projects in accordance with the CMS. Please follow the procedural requirements in the CMS, beginning with CMS 108.02(F). Contractors are discouraged from submitting general notice statements that do not identify specific circumstances directly caused by the COVID-19/Coronavirus, as those notices do not meet the requirements of the CMS.
ODOT remains committed to working with contractors to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19/Coronavirus to
ODOT’s construction program. ODOT will evaluate time extensions and/or potential accelerations proposed.
2. ODOT’s position on COVID-19/Coronavirus delays
ODOT’s position is that specific circumstances directly caused by the COVID-19/Coronavirus are excusable, non- compensable delays in accordance with CMS 108.06(B)(5). If the contractor contends that an excusable delay is also compensable, as specificied in CMS 108.06(D), the contractor must submit a detailed cost analysis of the requested additional compensation along with requests for extension of the Project Completion Date.
3. ODOT’s position on maintaining an active workforce
ODOT has received requests for guidance on whether or not contractors should send their workforces home because of the COVID-19/Coronavirus. ODOT will not provide guidance to industry related to their COVID-19 response. Contractors should act in accordance with their current company guidelines or visit Coronavirus.ohio.gov for additional information.
4. Termination for convenience
At this time, ODOT has no plans to terminate any contract for its convenience pursuant to CMS 108.09 due to the COVID-19 response.
5. Future Updates
ODOT will be issuing future updates using this format, as well as posting the letters on ODOT’s Office of
Construction Management website. ODOT will provide updates when appropriate.
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