RUS Bulletin 1780-26 (2024 Updates)

Description

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE RUS BULLETIN 1780-26 Rural Development-GD-2024-001 SUBJECT: Guidance for the Use of Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC) Bidding and Contract Documents on Water and Waste Disposal Projects with Rural Utilities Service Financial Assistance TO: Rural Development State Directors, Water and Environmental Program Directors, Community Program Directors, and State Engineers EFFECTIVE DATE: Date of approval OFFICE OF PRIMARY INTEREST: Engineering Policy Branch, Water and Environmental Programs (WEP), under the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), a part of Rural Development (RD), an Agency within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) INSTRUCTIONS: This Bulletin replaces RUS Bulletin 1780-26, Document ID: Rural Development-GD-2023-001 dated May 24, 2023, and preapproves the use of the 2020 edition of EJCDC E-500 instead of the 2014 edition. The EJCDC C-522, E-520 and E525 documents have also been preapproved for use under certain limited circumstances. This Bulletin revokes the following RUS Bulletins: • RUS Bulletin 1780-14, RUS Supplemental General Conditions, Document ID: RD-GD-1997-24, dated July 30, 1997. • RUS Bulletin 1780-15, Construction Contract Documents, Document ID: RD-GD1997-25, dated July 30, 1997. AVAILABILITY: This Bulletin, as well as any instructions, regulations, or forms referenced in this Bulletin are available at USDA State Offices. The State Office staff is familiar with the use of the documents in their states and can answer specific questions on Agency requirements. This Bulletin is available on the website: rd.usda.gov/publications/regulationsguidelines/bulletins/water-and-environmental. PURPOSE: This Bulletin is to be used by RD staff in providing information and guidance to funding applicants/recipients (Owners) and professional consultants in the development of Bidding and Contract Documents that are legally sufficient, ensure appropriate services are provided at a reasonable fee, and expedite the achievement of the applicant’s goals. This Bulletin supports compliance with 7 CFR 1 part 1780, 2 CFR part 200 and the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) requirements under Title IX of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Pub. L. 117-58, §§ 70901-70953. The contents of this guidance document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way.