[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 11]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR1753.26]

[Page 384-385]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
    CHAPTER XVII--RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 1753--TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES--Table of Contents
 
                  Subpart D--Construction of Buildings
 
Sec. 1753.26  Plans and specifications (P&S).

    (a) For headquarters and commercial office buildings only, the 
borrower shall prepare preliminary P&S showing the floor plan and 
general architectural details of the building to be constructed using 
loan funds. In particular, the preliminary P&S shall address the 
requirements of Sec. 1753.25(f) and the Uniform Relocation Assistance 
and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4601 et 
seq.). The P&S shall be submitted to the GFR and are subject to RUS 
approval.

[[Page 385]]

    (b) The borrower shall prepare P&S for construction of all 
buildings. Each set of P&S shall include:
    (1) RUS Contract Form 257, Contract to Construct Buildings, 
completed to the extent explained in (c) of this section.
    (2) Complete and detailed specifications covering materials and 
workmanship.
    (3) A detailed building plan. Where the building is to house 
electronic apparatus, the detailed plan or specifications shall include 
the equipment environmental requirements and special equipment required.
    (4) A site plan for each building showing the building location and 
giving the legal description of the site. Sufficient information must be 
provided for the site so that it can be identified as the same property 
on which title opinion was submitted to RUS. The legal description shall 
be typed on the site plan. The borrower shall also furnish topographical 
information and a description of any proposed site development work and 
show proposed connections for public utilities.
    (c) RUS Contract Form 257 shall be completed as follows:
    (1) List of names or kinds of buildings and locations--Site plan and 
specifications must be identified with the appropriate building.
    (2) Alternates--The borrower shall keep the number of alternates to 
a minimum. Items for which alternates are to be taken shall be fully 
described on a separate sheet in the specifications and the details 
shown on the plans, when necessary, and identified by the alternate 
number. The Notice and Instructions to Bidders shall explain how bids 
will be evaluated with respect to alternates.
    (3) Time for construction--A reasonable time for completion of 
construction, considering local conditions, shall be determined by the 
borrower and inserted in the space provided. Too short a construction 
period may discourage bidders or influence their bids. Completion of the 
building, where central office equipment is involved, shall be 
coordinated with delivery of the equipment. The time of completion shall 
allow adequate drying time before the central office equipment is stored 
or installed in the building.
    (d) The plans and specifications shall show the identification and 
date of the model code used for seismic safety design considerations, 
and the seismic factor used. See 7 CFR part 1792, subpart C.
    (e) Two sets of the building plans and specifications shall be 
prepared and submitted to the GFR.

[54 FR 39267, Sept. 25, 1989. Redesignated at 55 FR 39396, Sept. 27, 
1990, as amended at 59 FR 43717, Aug. 25, 1994; 64 FR 16606, Apr. 6, 
1999]