Specification (Measurement)

Transport and Main Roads Specifications

MRS01 Introduction to Specifications
July 2019
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Transport and Main Roads Specifications, July 2019

Contents

1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................1
2 Measurement of work ....................................................................................................................1
2.1 Schedule of Rates contract............................................................................................................. 1
2.1.1 Standard method of measurement .................................................................................1
2.1.2 Standard work description methodology ........................................................................2
2.1.3 Standard Work Items ......................................................................................................2
2.1.4 Supplementary Work Items ............................................................................................4
2.1.5 Work Operations.............................................................................................................4
2.1.6 Parameters in work item descriptions ............................................................................5
2.1.7 Provisional quantities and provisional items ..................................................................5
2.1.8 Non-Standard Work Items (90000 Series Items) ...........................................................6
2.1.9 Recycled materials .........................................................................................................7
2.2 Lump Sum Contracts ...................................................................................................................... 7
2.3 Measurement of quantities ............................................................................................................. 8
3 Definition of terms .........................................................................................................................8
3.1 Standard definitions ........................................................................................................................ 8
3.2 Definitions in other documents ....................................................................................................... 9
3.3 Priority of definitions ....................................................................................................................... 9
4 Referenced documents .................................................................................................................9
5 Application of concession provisions for below standard work ........................................... 10
6 Application of bonus provisions for above standard work .................................................... 10

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Specification (Measurement), MRS01 Introduction to Specifications

1 Introduction
This Specification serves as an introduction to Specifications.

This Specification shall be read in conjunction with the other Specifications.

The requirements of this Specification apply to all Specifications including Supplementary

Specifications incorporated into the Contract.

Reference to clause numbers shall be taken to mean reference to the clauses of that number within
that Specification unless stated otherwise.

This Specification forms part of the Transport and Main Roads Specifications Manual. All
Specifications forming the Transport and Main Roads Specifications Manual detail the technical
requirements for work related to departmental projects.

Others may use these documents for non-departmental projects at their own risk. In some cases, a
particular Technical Specification may be based on the assumption that a standard departmental
contract is in place (that is, references to “contract” means a reference to a specific standard contract).
A consistency check should be undertaken if the contract is not a departmental standard.

These Specifications do not specifically cover non-technical issues associated with undertaking
departmental works, for example Workplace Health and Safety, or environmental. Such issues are
generally covered by legislative or other requirements and are generally beyond the scope of these
Specifications.

Technical Specifications set out the requirements for the standard of work to be carried out for the
department under all forms of contract. Specifications set out additional requirements for particular
forms of contract. Each Specification includes the associated Technical Specification. For example,
MRS02 consists of MRS02 plus MRTS02.

2 Measurement of work
2.1 Schedule of Rates contract

2.1.1 Standard method of measurement

The Schedule of Rates contains a set of items with estimated quantities for various elements of work
to be carried out under the Contract.

Item numbering and descriptions generally conform to the provisions of the standard work description
methodology set out in Clause 2.1.2.

Unless marked provisional in accordance with Clause 2.1.7, the estimated quantities included in the
Schedule of Rates have been measured:

a) where a specific “Calculation of Quantities” clause is included in the relevant Specification, in

accordance with that clause, or

b) in other cases, from the dimensions shown on the drawings.

The estimated quantities have been rounded (up or down as required) to the nearest unit or decimal
part of a unit as specified in Table 2.1.1.

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Specification (Measurement), MRS01 Introduction to Specifications

Table 2.1.1 – Rounding values for quantities

Unit of Measurement Rounding Value

cubic metre 0.1
each 1
hour 0.1
kilolitre 0.001
litre 1
metre 1
square metre 1
tonne 0.01

In valuing completed work for the purposes of the Conditions of Contract, the Administrator will
measure the completed work in accordance with the method of measurement described in Clause 2.1.
In the case of a variation approved or directed by the Administrator under the Conditions of Contract,
the Administrator will measure the completed work in accordance with the method of measurement
described in the variation, but if no method is so described, then the method of measurement
described in Clause 2.1 will be used. Quantities will be rounded (up or down as required) as stated
above.

Where the Unit of Measure is square metre, it shall be measured using the surface area unless
specified elsewhere in the Work Operations.

2.1.2 Standard work description methodology

The work required to be carried out under a Schedule of Rates contract is described in terms of the
Standard Work Items (Clause 2.1.3), Supplementary Work Items (Clause 2.1.4), and/or Non-Standard
Work Items (Clause 2.1.8). Standard Work Items, Supplementary Work Items and Non-Standard Work
Items are collectively referred to as “Work Items”.

Work Items are defined by an item number, description and unit of measurement. The work
represented by a Work Item is described in terms of Work Operations referred to in Clause 2.1.5.

The complete set of Standard Work Items in all Specifications plus any Supplementary or Non-
Standard Work Items included in the Schedule of Rates are referred to as the Measurement Set for
the Contract and are deemed to fully describe the work under the Contract. Notwithstanding the
requirements of the Conditions of Contract, any work under the Contract which is not specifically
mentioned in the Work Items in the Measurement Set or in the Work Operations associated with those
Work Items shall nevertheless be deemed to be included in the Work Items in the Measurement Set.

However, not all of the Standard Work Items will necessarily be applicable to work under the Contract
and will not be shown in the Schedule of Rates.

2.1.3 Standard Work Items

Relevant Standard Work Items are listed in Clause 2 of individual Specifications.

Some Specifications contain no Standard Work Items (e.g. material supply or component
manufacturing Specifications). In such a case however, provision for the elements of work described
in those Specifications is included in a companion construction or erection Specification.

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Specification (Measurement), MRS01 Introduction to Specifications

Work Items in the Schedule of Rates are numbered using the relevant Standard Item Number followed
by a decimal point and a one or two digit counter. The counter will normally be incremented for each
additional Work Item based on that Standard Work Item. As an example, using new 5 digit number,
the first Work Item based on Standard Work Item 40001 Type 1 (HSG) Base, unbound pavement
[location], would be numbered 40001.1 or 40001.01. An example using 4 digit number, the first Work
Item based on Standard Work Item 4101 Base, unbound pavement, Type 1, Subtype [subtype],
[location], would be numbered 4101.1 or 4101.01.

Where text in a Specification or the description of a Work Item contains a reference to a Standard Item
Number, that reference shall be taken as a reference to all Work Items based on the Standard Work
Item with that Standard Item Number.

Descriptions of some Standard Work Items contain parameters as defined in Clause 2.1.6.

The addition to the description of any Work Item of a parameter for the location of the specific work
being measured shall not affect the provisions of Clause 2.1.

Where there are a number of tasks to be performed under a Work Item (e.g. sprayed bituminous
surfacing) and each of the tasks are different or have different parameters, the requirements of
specific Work Items included in the Schedule of Rates are specified in the Annexure to the relevant
Specification.

Minor differences between the description of a Work Item in the Schedule of Rates and the description
of the Standard Work Item on which that Work Item is based shall not materially affect the provisions
of Clause 2.1.

As at 1 August 2017 Standard Work Items are grouped as set out in Table 2.1.3(a) using 5 digits while
Standard Work Items pre-1 August 2017 were grouped as set out in Table 2.1.3(b) using 4 digits.

Table 2.1.3(a) – 5 digit Standard Work Item groups effective 1 August 2017

Standard Item Standard Item

Description of Work Description of Work
Number Group Number Group
Road Furniture and
10000 – 19999 Principal 50000 – 59999
Surface Delineation
20000 – 29999 Overarching Specifications 60000 – 69999 Electrical and ITS
Earthworks, Drainage, Bridges, Marine and
30000 – 39999 70000 – 79999
Culverts and Geotechnical Structures
Others (Rail and
40000 – 49999 Pavements and Surfacing 80000 – 89999
TransLink)

Table 2.1.3(b) – 4 digit Standard Work Item groups used pre-1 August 2017

Standard Item Standard Item

Description of Work Description of Work
Number Group Number Group
Site establishment, Provision
1000 – 1999 for traffic, Environmental 5000 – 5999 Surfacing
management
Drainage, Retaining Road furniture,
2000 – 2999 structures, Protective 6000 – 6999 Pavement marking,
treatment Electrical

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Specification (Measurement), MRS01 Introduction to Specifications

Standard Item Standard Item

Description of Work Description of Work
Number Group Number Group

3000 – 3999 Earthworks, Landscape works 7000 – 7999 Bridge substructure

4000 – 4999 Pavement 8000 – 8999 Bridge substructure

2.1.4 Supplementary Work Items

From time to time, certain work circumstances demand the existing Standard Work Item description be
altered to better address a situation. Once altered, such Work Items do not hold the identity of a
“Standard Work Item”. Users are required to convert such Standard Work Items into Supplementary
Work Items.

In such cases the Supplementary Work Item may be represented by an item number which is based
on a Standard Item Number, followed by a suffix “S”. The Supplementary Work Item:

a) will be described by its item description which may be different to the description of the
Standard Work Item on which it is based in that the description may contain additional
information to fully describe the location and/or extent of the work required

b) shall include at least the Work Operations described for the corresponding Standard Work
Item, and

c) usually be described further in a Supplementary Specification or the “Supplementary

requirements” section in the relevant Technical Specification Annexure.

Some Supplementary Specifications may not include Supplementary Work Items, in which case the
work described by that Supplementary Specification shall be deemed to be included in the Work Items
which are included in the Schedule of Rates.

Supplementary Work Items may include parameters as described in Clause 2.1.6.

2.1.5 Work Operations

The Work Operations applicable to a Work Item include those tasks listed below in Clause 2.1.5, those
tasks listed in the relevant Specification and / or Supplementary Specification as being directly
applicable to the Work Item, and any other tasks which could reasonably be inferred to be applicable
to the Work Item having regard to the description of the Work Item, the context in which it is used in
the relevant Specification or the Schedule of Rates and the tasks necessary to complete the work in
accordance with the Contract.

The listed Work Operations do not necessarily comprise a complete description of the Work Items or
the work under the Contract, but provide a guide to the work required and highlight significant
operations.

The Work Operations which describe any specific Work Item in the Schedule of Rates shall be those
applicable to the Standard Work Item on which the Work Item is based.

The following Work Operations are common to all Work Items and are deemed to be included in the
Work Items shown in the Schedule of Rates:

a) establishment and disestablishment including cleaning up and making good, except to the
extent that establishment and disestablishment are the subject of a separate specific Work
Item in the Schedule of Rates

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Specification (Measurement), MRS01 Introduction to Specifications

b) provision of all site facilities, except to the extent that the provision of any site facilities is the
subject of a separate specific Work Item in the Schedule of Rates

c) provision of all labour, plant and equipment

d) supply, delivery, handling and storage of all materials except for materials supplied by the
Principal and except to the extent that supply, delivery, handling and storage of any materials
is the subject of a separate specific Work Item in the Schedule of Rates

e) provision of all supervisory and support staff

f) all costs associated with the operation of the Contractor’s Workplace Health and Safety
obligations, Quality System, environmental management obligations, traffic management
obligations, community liaison obligations, Public Utility Plant obligations, works programming,
road maintenance obligations and all other supervisory and coordination functions, except to
the extent that such obligations and functions are the subject of separate specific Work Items
in the Schedule of Rates

g) all costs incurred by the Contractor in complying with Commonwealth and State legislation
and Local Government By-laws

h) all testing, except to the extent that testing is the subject of a separate specific Work Item in
the Schedule of Rates

i) all costs associated with the work with respect to security, interest, fees, charges, taxes,
royalties, insurance and compensation

j) all costs associated with the provision of workshop drawings, bar bending schedules and
materials lists

k) any design for work required to be designed by the Contractor, except to the extent that such
design is the subject of a separate specific Work Item in the Schedule of Rates

l) all overheads and profit, and

m) all other expenses associated with the work not specifically listed above.

2.1.6 Parameters in work item descriptions

Where they occur in descriptions of Work Items, parameters are place markers for additional
information (dimensions, location, material type, application rates, etc.). When Work Items with
parameters appear in the Schedule of Rates, the parameters are replaced with the additional specific
information.

Parameters are shown in the item description in italics and in square brackets [diameter].

2.1.7 Provisional quantities and provisional items

Where a Work Item Number contains a suffix “P,” that Work Item shall be deemed to be Provisional
and it shall be treated as specified below.

At the time of tendering, the Principal was unable to determine an estimated quantity for such items in
the manner mentioned in Clause 2.1.1.

In practice, any Work Item can be shown in the Schedule of Rates as Provisional (by the addition of a
suffix “P” to the Work Item Number) whether or not that Work Item is so designated in the
Specifications or Supplementary Specifications.

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Specification (Measurement), MRS01 Introduction to Specifications

Where a Work Item Number contains a suffix “P” and the words “Provisional Quantity” appear in the
description of the item, the Contractor shall be entitled to be paid for that work with the applicable
limits of accuracy for the quantities of plus 50% minus 50%.

Where a Work Item Number contains a suffix “P” and the words “Provisional Quantity, as directed”
appear in the description of the item, the Contractor shall be entitled to be paid for that work with the
applicable limits of accuracy for the quantities of plus 50% minus 50%. The Administrator will direct or
mark out the extent of the work. The Contractor shall not proceed until the extent of the work is
agreed.

Where a Work Item Number contains a suffix “P” and the words “Provisional Quantity, if ordered”
appear in the description of the item, the Contractor shall only be entitled to be paid for that work if the
Administrator has directed the Contractor in writing to undertake that work. The applicable limits of
accuracy for the quantities for an item marked as “Provisional Quantity, if ordered” shall be plus
100% minus 100%.

Where a Work Item Number contains a suffix “P” and the words “Provisional Item, if ordered” appear
in the description of the item, the Contractor shall only be entitled to be paid for that work if the
Administrator has directed the Contractor in writing to undertake that work. It shall be understood that
the work represented by that Work Item may not be required under the Contract. Limits of accuracy do
not apply to these Work Items.

2.1.8 Non-Standard Work Items (90000 Series Items)

From time to time, users are required to capture discrete and project specific work elements in a
contract schedule to address an issue that is unique to the circumstances of a project. Such work
elements are not covered by any other Standard Work Item description or Technical Specification.
This category of work elements is known as Non-Standard Work Items for which the end-users are
required to develop Specifications and define a unit of measure to how it should be delivered.

From September 2018, the Non-Standard Work Items (previously known as 9000 series items) have
been expanded to 90000 series. Non-Standard Work Items are organised into pre-defined ranges,
with each range allocated a specific unit of measure. For example, the Non-Standard Work Item
Number range 90101 to 90499 is allocated for any user defined work element with unit of measure as
“Lump Sum”.

Table 2.1.8 below provides the complete set of Non-Standard Work Items:

Table 2.1.8 - Non-Standard Work Item Numbers and Units of Measurement

Non-Standard Work Item Number Series Unit of Measurement Range

90100 lump sum 90101 to 90499
90500 each 90501 to 90999
91000 m 91001 to 91499
91500 km 91501 to 91999
92000 m² 92001 to 92499
92500 m³ 92501 to 92999
93000 kg 93001 to 93499
93500 tonne 93501 to 93999
94000 litre 94001 to 94199

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Specification (Measurement), MRS01 Introduction to Specifications

Non-Standard Work Item Number Series Unit of Measurement Range

94200 kilolitre 94201 to 94399
94400 dollars 94401 to 94599
94600 hr 94601 to 94799
94800 day 94801 to 94999
95000 week 95001 to 95199
95200 month 95201 to 95399
95400 year 95401 to 95599
95600 per set 95601 to 95799
95800 fixed fee 95801 to 95999
96000 fixed rate 96001 to 96199
96200 Ha 96201 to 96399
96400 loose m³ 96401 to 96599
96600 Provisional Sum (Dollars) 96601 to 96899

2.1.9 Recycled materials

Where a Work Item Number contains a suffix “R”.

a) Recycled materials for this Work Item Number shall be manufactured from recycled materials
and Works shall be completed in accordance with the requirements of MRS35, and

b) Where in the Tender Schedule there is a pair of Work Item Numbers where one has a suffix
"R" and the other has no suffix, and each of these paired Work Item Numbers has the same
quantity:

i. the Work Item Number with no suffix refers to the parent Specification as defined in
MRS35

ii. the Tenderer may submit a tender for either one or both of the Work Item Numbers

iii. the Contract will be awarded on the basis of only one of the Work Item Numbers, and

iv. the Contractor shall complete the Works using either, but not both, of the Work Item
Numbers as ordered by the Principal.

2.2 Lump Sum Contracts

In general, quantities will not be measured by the Principal nor provided to the Contractor under a
Lump Sum Contract.

Any Clause titled “Measurement of Work” in a Specification (generally Clause 2), shall not apply to a
Lump Sum Contract.

Items included in a Schedule of Prices have been allocated specifically for the Contract without
reference to any standard methodology. Under no circumstances shall items included in a Schedule of
Prices be interpreted as being described by the method of measurement for Schedule of Rates
contracts specified in Clause 2.1.

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Specification (Measurement), MRS01 Introduction to Specifications

Where there is a high probability that the work required might differ from that shown on the Drawings
(e.g. length of piles or rock quantities), items may be included in a Schedule of Rates for Variations. If
such a change actually occurs during the Contract, reimbursement shall be made for the quantities
actually carried out at the rates included in the Schedule of Rates for Variations in the Contractor’s
tender.

2.3 Measurement of quantities

The Conformance Report for each lot shall include measured quantities for all scheduled items
associated with the lot.

3 Definition of terms
3.1 Standard definitions

The terms used in Specifications shall be as defined in Clause 2 of MRTS01 Introduction to Technical
Specifications.

Additional terms used in Specifications shall be as defined in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1 – Definition of terms

Term Definition
corrective action request A written communication from the Administrator to the Contractor
identifying a nonconformance and includes a direction for the
Contractor to issue a nonconformance report
CQR Abbreviation for Contractor’s Quality Representative who is the
Contractor’s employee responsible for the Contractor’s quality
system for the Contract
defect Any single nonconformance of the product or process with the
relevant standards and requirements of the Contract
measurement set The set of Work Items containing all Standard Work Items in all
Specifications plus any Supplementary Work Items included in the
Schedule of Rates
Standard Work Item A unique number assigned to a Standard Work Item as shown in a
Number Specification
Specification Any document published by the department as a Specification
forming part of the Transport and Main Roads Specifications Manual
Standard Work Items A unique description of a discrete element of work specified in a
Specification used for measurement and payment purposes in a
Schedule of Rates contract
Supplementary Work Item A unique number assigned to a Supplementary Work Item as shown
Number in a Supplementary Specification or Technical Specification
Annexure (refer Clause 2.1.4)
Supplementary Any Specification included in the Contract which is not a Standard
Specification Specification
Supplementary Work Items Similar to Standard Work Items, but represented by a suffix “S” in a
Supplementary Specification or Technical Specification Annexure,
used for measurement and payment purposes in a Schedule of
Rates contract
Non-Standard Work Item A unique number assigned to a Non-Standard Work Item as shown
Number in a Supplementary Specification (90000 series)

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Specification (Measurement), MRS01 Introduction to Specifications

Term Definition
Non-Standard Work Items A unique and discrete element of work not specified or covered
under the Standard Work Items. Is specified in a Supplementary
Specification used for measurement and payment in a Schedule of
Rates contract
Technical Specification Any document published by the department as a Technical
Specification forming part of the Transport and Main Roads
Specifications Manual
utilisation of a rejected lot
for a reduced level of Concession, as defined by ISO AS/NZS 9000
service
Work Operation One of a set of tasks which together generally describe the work
represented by a Work Item
Work Item A Standard Work Item or a Supplementary Work Item
Work Item Number A Standard Item Number or a Supplementary Item Number.
The meanings of suffixes attached to the Work Item Number, are as
described within the Specification to which the Work Item Number
relates

3.2 Definitions in other documents

Further relevant definitions are contained in the following documents:

a) a particular Supplementary Specification

b) a particular Specification, and

c) as stated in MRTS01 Introduction to Technical Specifications.

3.3 Priority of definitions

In the event of conflict in definition, priority shall be assigned in the order that the documents are listed
below:

a) the relevant Supplementary Specification

b) the relevant Specification, and

c) as stated in MRTS01 Introduction to Technical Specifications.

4 Referenced documents
Requirements for referenced documents are given in MRTS01 Introduction to Technical
Specifications.

Table 4 lists documents referenced in this Specification.

Table 4 – Referenced documents

Reference Title
AS/NZS ISO 9000 Quality management systems – Fundamentals and vocabulary

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Specification (Measurement), MRS01 Introduction to Specifications

5 Application of concession provisions for below standard work

A rejected lot may be considered by the Administrator for use for a reduced level of service provided
that a specific Utilisation of a Rejected Lot for a Reduced level of Service Clause is included in the
relevant Technical Specification.

The Administrator may consider the lot for a reduced level of service based on the Administrator's
assessment of the consequences of the deficiencies on the performance of the work and provided that
the Contractor takes the necessary action to prevent recurrence of the non-compliance and states, on
the nonconformance report, what action is to be taken.

If the Administrator does not reject the lot but allows its use for a reduced level of service, payment will
be made at the reduced value as calculated from the specific Utilisation of a Rejected Lot for a
Reduced Level of Service Clause. Where there is no specific clause, the reduction in value will be
determined by the Administrator.

The non-rejection of and payment for a lot utilised for a reduced level of service shall be on the basis
of the minimisation of losses to both the Principal and the Contractor due to the failure by the
Contractor to present the minimum standard of work required by the Contract.

6 Application of bonus provisions for above standard work

A lot may be considered by the Administrator for bonus payment for above standard work provided
that:

a) a specific Additional Payment for A Higher Standard of Product clause is included in the
relevant Technical Specification, and

b) the inclusion of the provisions of that clause in the Contract is indicated in the Annexure to that
Technical Specification.

The bonus payment as detailed in the contract is based on the Principal's assessment of the additional
benefit to the Principal.

Payment will be made at the increased value as calculated from the specific Additional Payment for A
Higher Standard of Product clause.

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