Form 773 Miscellaneous Construction Work and Maintenance Services

Expires: XX/XX/20XX

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Miscellaneous Construction
Work and Maintenance
Services Contract
RUS Contract Form 773
December 1990

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Rural Utilities Service

Borrower's RUS Designation
Contractor
Contract No.
Contract Date
Contract Amount

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Rural Utilities Service

INSTRUCTIONS SHEET FOR USE OF RUS CONTRACT FORM 773

GENERAL
This Contract is intended for use with miscellaneous construction work and maintenance
services whose total cost does not exceed $100,000. This contract may be for labor only,
material only, or for labor and material. Close the contract out on RUS Form 771. Refer to
7 CFR Part 1765 Subpart G. There are no provisions to amend this contract. Several
examples of the use of this contract are as follows:

1. Short outside plant extensions such as the plowing of drop wire or small pair count wire
and cable,
2. Cable splicing,
3. Line removal,
4. Installation or movement of central office and electronic equipment,
5. Carpentry and painting,
6. Right-of-way clearing.

This contract does not require RUS approval; see 7 CFR 1765, Subpart G. This contract is not to be
used with subcontractors.
SECTION I
a. The work order number assigned to the individual project should be referenced. In case of
blanket work orders, where a single contract will serve several individual work orders, a
suitable identifying number should be selected, from which individual projects can be
identified. This number should relate to a force account work order that pertains to the
same project when applicable.
b. Contractor's name; mailing address; license number, issuance state and expiration date, where
applicable; borrower's corporate name; and RUS designation.

PROJECT

1.
2.
3.
4.

Give a brief description of the work to be performed.
Self-explanatory.
Self-explanatory.
If yes, attach a separate and complete list of materials to be furnished. See Section II,
General Provisions.
5. Identify appropriate exchanges.

6. Hourly rates for labor and/or equipment should be specified as necessary. Lump sum(s)
should be identified and specified as appropriate. Units should be standard RUS units,
when appropriate.
7. The maximum closeout amount of this Contract cannot exceed $100,000. Unless
otherwise directed, invoices are to be submitted to the Owner.
8. Define a time for construction that is realistic for the work to be performed and which will
meet the owner's requirements.
SECTION II - General Provisions
The borrower must attach all drawings, sketches, lists of materials, list of units, descriptions of
work, references to appropriate standards, specifications, etc., so as to make them a part of
this contract. In addition, references should be made to Federal, State, Local, and other
requirements, if any, as appropriate, in the attachments to this contract. Examples of this would
be local codes, utility regulations, etc. Form 270, as indicated in Paragraph 14 should be
attached and properly executed.
Borrowers must comply with all applicable requirements imposed by Executive Orders 12549
and 12689, Debarment and Suspension, and any rules or regulations issued thereunder,
including 2 CFR Part 417.

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a
collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is
0572-0107. The time required to complete this information is estimated to average 2 or 3 hours per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information.

SECTION I
(Enter this number on all attachments, invoices and related correspondence).

This Contract is entered into this

day of 20

, between

(hereinafter called ''Contractor')', (Contractor's License No.
Issuance State

,

) of ,

, Expiration Date

(Mailing Address)

,

(State)

(City)

,

(Zip)

and ,
(hereinafter called ''Owner''),

PROJECT
1. Description of work:

Indicate if drawings, specifications, or other further description is attached and made part of this
agreement: YES

NO

2. Project is for: Construction

.
Maintenance

.

3. Evidence of insurance is required (See Section III).
4. The Owner will furnish material? YES

NO

(See Attached List).

RUS Form 773 (12/90)

5. All work on this Contract will be performed in the Owner's exchange(s) of

6. The method of payment for performance shall be:
(Specify rate(s))
Hourly basis

Lump-Sum (Explain as necessary)

Unit basis (Describe unit(s))

No payment shall be due under this agreement while the Contractor is in default of any provision hereof.
7. The maximum amount of this Contract shall be $

Payment shall be

I

due and payable in accordance with the following schedule:

I

I

Invoices are to be submitted to:

A duly executed RUS Form 743, Certificate of Contractor and Indemnity Agreement, shall accompany the
final invoice.
8. The Contractor shall begin performance of this Contract no later than
and shall complete performance no later than

.

RUS Form 773(12/90)

SECTION II - GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Notification of Injury or Damage: The Contractor shall promptly notify the Owner of any injury, death,
loss, or damage to persons, animals, or property which is in any way related to the work performed under this
Contract, even though such occurrence was not caused or contributed to by the Contractor or the
Contractor's employees and agents.
2. Withholding of Payments: The Owner may withhold money due for portions of the work which have
been rejected by the Owner and which have not been corrected by the Contractor to the satisfaction of the
Owner. The Contractor shall pay each material supplier, if any, within five (5) days after receipt of any
payment from the Owner, the amount thereof allowed on account of materials furnished by each material
supplier. The Owner may withhold money due for claims which might be the subject of reimbursement to the
Owner by the Contractor. If the Owner is advised that the Contractor is not promptly paying material
suppliers as set out above, or if the Owner is advised that employees of the Contractor are not being
promptly paid, then the Owner may withhold such money due as the Owner deems sufficient to insure the
obligations incurred by the Contractor in connection with the work covered by this Contract will be paid in full.
3. Changes in Project: The Owner may make changes in the Project by altering, adding to or deducting from
the Project. No change in the contract price shall be made for minor changes not involving extra cost.
All adjustments in the contract price by reason of any other change shall be agreed to by the parties prior to
commencement of the actual work in connection with such change.
4. Standards of Work: All work performed under this Contract shall conform to applicable current Rural
Utilities Service (hereinafter called ''RUS") standards and specifications.
The Contractor shall furnish and be responsible for all supervision, labor, tools, equipment, power,
transportation, material, and supplies required to perform the work, except those items specifically listed
which will be furnished by the Owner. The Contractor shall pick up and transport such material and
equipment from its place of storage to the job site as needed. The Contractor shall transport and return to a
place of storage designated by the Owner unused material and equipment belonging to the Owner.

5. Provision of Materials: In the performance of this Contract there shall be used only such
unmanufactured articles, materials, and supplies as have been mined or produced in the United States, and
only such manufactured articles, materials, and supplies as have been manufactured in the United States
substantially all from articles, materials, or supplies mined, produced, or manufactured, as the case may be,
in the United States: Provided, that foreign articles, materials, or supplies may be used in the event and to the
extent that the RUS Administrator shall expressly in writing authorize such use pursuant to the provisions of
the Rural Electrification Act of 1938, being Title IV of Public Resolution No. 122, 75th Congress, approved
June 21, 1938. The Contractor agrees to submit to the Owner such certificate or certificates, signed by the
Contractor with respect to compliance with the foregoing provisions as the RUS Administrator from time to
time may require.
All materials and equipment furnished by the Contractor shall be listed in the latest List of Materials
Acceptable for Use on Telephone Systems of RUS Borrowers. The Contractor shall purchase
materials and supplies outright and not subject to any conditional sales agreement, bailment lease, or other
agreement reserving to the seller any right, title or interest therein.
All guarantees of materials and workmanship running in favor of the Contractor shall be transferred and
assigned to the Owner on completion of construction and at such time as the Contractor receives final
payment.
The Contractor shall save harmless and indemnify the Owner from any and all claims, suits, and proceedings
for the infringement of any patent or patents covering any materials or equipment provided by the Contractor
used in construction of the Project.

RUS Form 773 (12/90)

It shall be the duty of the Contractor to inspect all material used in the performance of the work, whether or
not furnished by the Owner. The Contractor shall not use any defective material in the performance of the
work.
The Contractor shall reimburse the Owner or shall replace at no cost to the Owner any material or property
destroyed, damaged, or lost, regardless of cause, in the performance of the contract.
6. Laws and Regulations: The Contractor shall comply with all Federal, State, and Municipal Laws,
ordinances and regulations and building and construction codes applicable to the performance of the work
and give all notices that may be required. If the Contractor observes that the work to be performed is at
variance with any law, ordinance, or regulation or building or construction code, he shall promptly notify the
Owner. The Contractor shall follow the instructions of Government officials regarding maintenance of traffic
and protection of the public. The Contractor shall obtain a copy of regulations or permit requirements of the
appropriate Road authorities and make all employees aware of these regulations.
The Contractor acknowledges that it is familiar with the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended, the
Anti-Kickbact Acts, as amended (40 USC 276c; 41 USC 51 et seq.) and regulations issued pursuant thereto,
and 18 U.S.C. 287, 874, 1001, as amended. The Contractor understands that the obligations of the parties
hereunder are subject to the applicable regulations and orders of Government agencies having jurisdiction
in the premises.
7. Environmental Protection: The Contractor shall perform work in such a manner as to maximize
preservation of beauty and conservation of natural resources, and minimize marring and scarring of the
landscape and silting of streams. The Contractor shall not deposit trash in streams or waterways, and shall
not deposit herbicides or other chemicals or their containers in or near streams, waterways or pastures. The
Contractor shall follow, under the general direction of the Owner, the criteria relating to environmental
protection as specified herein by the Owner.
8. Inspection of Work: The Owner may maintain inspectors at the job site, and to further assure
compliance with the plans and specifications and maintain quality of construction, may, after reasonable
notice to the Contractor, perform from time to time operational tests on the Project or a portion or portions
thereof selected by the Owner. However, such inspectors or other employees or agents of the Owner shall
not have authority to direct or advise the Contractor or his employees and agents concerning the method of
manner by which the work is to be performed. The Contractor has sole authority, responsibility, and control
over the method and manner by which the work is to be performed and shall remain in all respects an
independent contractor.
9. Service Pipes and Underground Structures: The Contractor at the Contractor's expense shall locate
any pipes, conduits or other underground structures or obstructions which are in the way of the construction,
whether or not any work plans omit to show or purport to show their locations. All such property damaged in
the course of the work shall be repaired by the Contractor in a manner satisfactory to the Owner.

10. Duty of Safe Performance: The Contractor shall at all times take all reasonable precautions to protect
all persons and property, including property of the Owner from injury arising out of the performance of the
work. The Contractor shall make such inspections, safety checks, and tests, and shall provide such
equipment, personnel, and supervision as is necessary to insure the safe performance of the work.
11. Defects in Work: The Contractor shall correct at its expense all defects and deficiencies in the work
which result from labor or material furnished by the Contractor, workmanship, or failure to follow the plans,
drawings, RUS standards, or other specifications made a part of this Contract, which are discovered within
one (1) year from the date the work is accepted. Acceptance of the work by the Owner shall not constitute a
waiver or any such defects deficiencies. The Owner shall notify the Contractor in writing of any defects
and deficiencies and if the Contractor has failed to remedy or make arrangements satisfactory to the Owner
and RUS to remedy such defects and deficiencies within twenty (20) days thereafter, the Owner may remedy
such defects and deficiencies and the Contractor shall pay the Owner the cost of making such corrections.

RUS Form 773 (12/90)

12. Completion on Contractor's Defaults: If default shall be made by the Contractor in the performance of
any of the terms of this Contract, the Owner, without in any manner limiting its legal and equitable remedies
in the circumstances, may serve upon the Contractor a written notice requiring the Contractor to cause such
default to be corrected forthwith. Unless within twenty (20) days after the service of such notice upon the
Contractor such default shall be corrected or arrangements for the correction thereof satisfactory to the
Owner shall be made by the Contractor, the Owner may take over the construction of the Project and
prosecute the same to completion by contract or otherwise for the account and at the expense of the
Contractor, and the Contractor shall be liable to the Owner for any cost or expense in excess of the contract
price occasioned thereby. In such event the Owner may take possession of and utilize, in completing the
construction of the Project, any materials, tools, supplies, equipment, appliances, and plant belonging to the
Contractor which may be situated at the site on the Project. The Owner in such contingency may exercise
any rights, claims, or demands which the Contractor may have against third persons in connection with this
Contract and for such purpose the Contractor does hereby assign, transfer, and set over unto the Owner all
such rights, claims, and demands.
13. Indemnification: The Contractor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Owner from any and all
claims, actions, or causes of action to the extent the claimed loss or damage arises out of the Contractor's
negligent performance or nonperformance of work herein contracted to be done whether such claims,
actions, or causes of action are alleged to be the results of any act or omission of the Contractor, its
subcontractors, agents, servants, employees, or any or all of them and regardless of the fact that the work
may have been completed and accepted by the Owner and regardless of the fact the Contractor may have
received payment for work. The Owner shall promptly notify the Contractor in writing of any such claims,
actions, or causes of action and give the Contractor full opportunity and authority to assume the sole defense
and settlement thereof. The Owner shall furnish to the Contractor upon request all information available to
the Owner for defense against any claim, action, or cause of action. The Contractor's liability under this
indemnity shall not exceed the value of the Contract except for those claims involving personal injury or
tangible property damage.
14. Miscellaneous: The Contractor has made a careful examination of the site of the Project and
and conditions which may affect work under this Contract.
The Contractor will build the outside plant facilities under the Contract on rights-of-way provided by the Owner
including, where directed by the Owner, rights-of-way presently occupied by existing facilities of the Owner.
The Contractor will use no explosive in the performance of work under this Contract without the prior written
approval of the Owner. All permits necessary for the handling or use of dynamite or other explosives in
connection with construction of the Project shall be obtained by and at the expense of the Contractor.
Except as otherwise agreed to by the Owner, all work shall be performed without interruption to or
interference with existing telephone service.
The Contractor shall not assign this contract or any part thereof, or enter into any contract with any person,
firm, or corporation for performance of the Contractor's obligations hereunder, or any part of such obligations.

15. Nondiscrimination: (See RUS Form 270, to be attached to this contract.)

16. Debarment: The Contractor represents that to the extent required, it has complied with Executive Orders
12549 and 12689, Debarment and Suspension, and any rules or regulations issued thereunder, including 2
CFR Part 417.

Note: The penalty for making false statements in offers is prescribed in 18 U.S.C. 1001.

RUS Form 773 (12/90)

SECTION III - INSURANCE

During the Contractor's performance hereunder, the Contractor shall take out and maintain fully paid
insurance providing not less than the minimum coverage required by 7 CFR 1788, Subpart C.

The Owner may at any time require public liability insurance and property damage liability insurance
greater than that required in 7 CFR 1788, Subpart C. In any such event, the additional premium or
premium payable solely as the result of such additional insurance shall be added to the Contract price.

Where the performance of the work involves ''structural property, underground property, or blasting,'' the
Contractor's comprehensive general liability insurance policy shall provide coverage to the insured for
legal liability arising from operations under this contract for property damage (1) arising out of blasting, (2)
arising out of collapse of or structural injury to any building or structure, or (3) to underground facilities and
utilities.

I have read, understand, and agree to all portions of this Contract.

(Contractor)

By
Title

Date

(Owner)

By
Title

Date

RUS Form 773 (12/90)

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Rural Utilities Service
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ADDENDUM
To Be Inserted in Construction Contracts and
Subcontracts, and Materials Contracts and Purchase Orders

PART I
The Contractor represents that:
It has

, does not have

, 100 or more employees, and if it has, that

It has
, has not
, furnished the Equal Employment Opportunity - Employers Information
Report EEO-1, Standard Form 100, required of employers with 100 or more employees pursuant to
Executive Order 11246 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The Contractor agrees that it will obtain, prior to the award of any subcontract for more than
$10,000 hereunder to a subcontractor with 100 or more employees, a statement, signed by the proposed
subcontractor, that the proposed subcontractor has filed a current report on Standard Form 100.
The Contractor agrees that if it has 100 or more employees and has not submitted a report on
Standard Form 100 for the current reporting year and that if this contract will amount to more than
$10,000, the Contractor will file such report, as required by law, and notify the Owner in writing of such
filing prior to the Owner's acceptance of this Proposal.

PART II
CERTIFICATION OF NONSEGREGATED FACILITIES
The Contractor certifies that it does not maintain or provide for its employees any segregated
facilities at any of its establishments, and that it does not permit its employees to perform their services
at any location, under its control, where segregated facilities are maintained. The Contractor certifies
further that it will not maintain or provide for its employees any segregated facilities at any of its
establishments, and that it will not permit its employees to perform their services at any location, under
its control, where segregated facilities are maintained. The Contractor agrees that a breach of this
certification is a violation of the Equal Opportunity Clause in this contract. As used in this certification,
the term ''segregated facilities'' means any waiting rooms, work areas, restrooms and washrooms,
restaurants and other eating areas, time clocks, locker rooms and other storage or dressing areas,
parking lots, drinking fountains, recreation or entertainment areas, transportation, and housing facilities
provided for employees which are segregated by explicit directive or are in fact segregated on the basis
of race, color, religion, or national origin, because of habit, local custom, or otherwise. The Contractor
agrees that (except where it has obtained identical certifications from proposed subcontractors for
specific time periods) it will obtain identical certifications from proposed subcontractors prior to the
award of subcontracts exceeding $10,000 which are not exempt from the provisions of the Equal
Opportunity Clause, and that it will retain such certifications in its files.

NOTE: The penalty for making false statements in offers is prescribed in 18 U.S.C. 1001.

RUS Form 270 (Rev. 7-70)

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Rural Utilities Service

PART III
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY CLAUSE
During the performance of this contract, the Contractor agrees as follows:
(1)
The Contractor will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment
because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The Contractor will take affirmative action to
ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment without regard
to their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Such action shall include, but not be limited to, the
following employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff
or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training, including
apprenticeship. The Contractor agrees to post in conspicuous places, available to employees and
applicants for employment, notices to be provided setting forth the provisions of this nondiscrimination
clause.
(2)
The Contractor will, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf
of the Contractor, state that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard
to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
(3)
The Contractor will send to each labor union or representative of workers with which it has a
collective bargaining agreement or other contract or understanding, a notice to be provided advising the
said labor union or workers' representative of the Contractor's commitments under this section, and
shall post copies of the notice in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for
employment.
(4)
The Contractor will comply with all provisions of Executive Order 11246 of September 24,
1965, and of the rules, regulations and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.
(5)
The Contractor will furnish all information and reports required by Executive Order 11246 of
September 24. 1965, and by rules, regulations and orders of the Secretary of Labor, or pursuant thereto,
and will permit access to its books, records and accounts by the administering agency and the Secretary
of Labor for purposes of investigation to ascertain compliance with such rules, regulations and orders.
(6)
In the event of the Contractor's noncompliance with- the nondiscrimination clauses of this
contract or with any of the said rules regulations or orders, this contract may be canceled, terminated
or suspended in whole or in part and the Contractor may be declared ineligible for further Government
contracts or federally assisted construction contracts in accordance with procedures authorized in
Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, and such ocher sanctions may be imposed and remedies
invoked as provided in the said Executive Order or by rule, regulation or order of the Secretary of
Labor, or as otherwise provided by law.

RUS Form 270 (Rev. 7-70)

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Rural Utilities Service

(7) The Contractor will include the portion of the sentence immediately preceding paragraph (1)
and the provisions of paragraphs (1) through (7) in every subcontract or purchase order unless exempted
by rules, regulations or orders of the Secretary of Labor issued pursuant to Section 204 of Executive
Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, so that such provisions will be binding upon each subcontractor or
vendor. The Contractor will take such action with respect to any subcontract or purchase order as the
administering agency may direct as a means of enforcing such provisions, including sanctions for
noncompliance: Provided, however, that in the event a Contractor becomes involved in, or is threatened
with, litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a result of such direction by the administering agency,
the Contractor may request the United States to enter into such litigation to protect the interests of the
United States.

The term ''Contractor'' shall also mean ''Bidder'' or " Seller'' in case of materials and equipment
contracts and purchase orders, and ''Subcontractor'' in the case of subcontracts.
The provisions of this addendum are not applicable to any contract or subcontract not exceeding
$10,000.
This addendum supersedes the similar representations and provisions which may be contained in the
contract form to which this addendum is attached. The Contractor may disregard the superseded
representations and provisions.

CONTRACTOR

By
TITLE
DATE

RUS Form 270 (Rev. 7-70)

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a
collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is
0572-0107. The time required to complete this information is estimated to average .1 minutes per response, including the time
for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information.

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Rural Utilities Service
CERTIFICATE OF CONTRACTOR
AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
, certifies that
1

he is the

TITLE OR DESIGNATION

of

, the Contractor, in
NAME OF CONTRACTOR

a Contract dated

,

entered into between the Contractor

and

the Owner, for the
NAME OF RUS BORROWER

construction of a rural telephone Project (hereinafter referred to as Project), which bears the Rural
Utilities Service Project Designation

and that he is authorized
RUS DESIGNATION

to and does make this Certificate and Indemnity Agreement on behalf of said Contractor in order to
induce the Owner to make payment to the Contractor, in accordance with the provisions of the said
contract and to induce the Rural Utilities Service to advance monies to the Owner for the construction
performed pursuant to the contract.
Undersigned further says that all persons who have furnished labor in connection with of the
Project represented by the Final Invoice dated
have been paid
in full; that all manufactures, materialmen and subcontractors which furnished any materials or service,
or both, for the said Project have been paid in full, that no lien has been filed against the Project and no
person has any right to claim any lien against the Project.
Undersigned further says that if the Owner pays the Contractor the contract price for the said
Project the Contractor will indemnify and hold harmless and does hereby undertake and agree to
indemnify and hold harmless the Owner from any claim or lien arising out of the negligence or other
fault of the Contractor in respect of the performance-of the contract which may have been or may be
filed against the Owner.

SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTOR

1. President, Vice-President, Partner or Owner, or if signed by other than one of the foregoing,
Power of Attorney signed by one of the foregoing should be attached.
Indicate applicable designation.

RUS Form 743 (Rev. 2-72)