Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 13-2. SMART criteria for developing performance guarantees
Characteristic
Description and Considerations
S = Specific
Include language in the guarantee that describes exactly what is to
be measured. State the constituent(s), and designate the sample
location and frequency.
M = Measurable
Requiring that a constituent be nondetectable is not recommended,
because laboratories have different detection limits that are based
on their laboratory equipment and technical abilities. It is better
to establish a concentration, which might be just greater than the
detection limit, or state the detection limit that must be attained
by the laboratory for performance testing analysis. It is also
important to establish which method of analysis is to be used for
each parameter.
A = Attainable or
Appropriate
When owners outline their expectations for a new facility, the
initial reaction may be overly optimistic (such as a nondetectable
concentration for a contaminant). Review the ability of the
processes or technologies for contaminant removal or treatment,
and select appropriate levels for the performance requirements.
Also recognize that influent water quality will vary, and this
may impact the concentration in the treated water. Allowing the
performance guarantee to be based on an average of more than
two samples helps account for this possible variability in quality.
R = Realistic
Review the guarantees that are being developed collectively.
Consider whether or not these guarantees are covering several
worst-case scenarios and if that is really a valid expectation or
need for the facility. Review data from other similar facilities or
pilot studies, if available, to determine reasonable expectations for
the guaranteed levels.
T = Time-Bound
Establish a time over which the guarantee must be met. For some
guarantees, the results will be based on chemistry within the WTP
or WWTP that is instantaneous, so a few samples collected over
a week would be sufficient to show compliance. Other processes
require time to establish, or could be impacted by seasonal water
quality, and extended times may be prudent. It is common to see
a 30-day test period included for these circumstances or testing to
be conducted in a challenging season.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNICAL
CRITERIA AND PROJECT APPROACH
The approach for how to accept bids and evaluate them should match the extent of detail
in the technical criteria documents. For example, if an owner wants to use prescriptive cri-
teria and wants to accept a base bid from all the design-builders, with the base bid meet-
ing the design criteria of the technical criteria document, would alternate bids be accepted
for evaluation, and if so, would any of the criteria in the technical criteria document be
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