Specifications include, but are not limited to: A. Section A – Purchase and Installation of Sod Including Ground Preparation of Athletic Fields 1. Ground Preparation Mechanically remove all existing turf from field. Contractor is responsible for hauling and disposal of spoils from site or distributing spoils on site per direction of County representative; prepare the soil root zone and sub-grade to accept the new sod as per specifications below. Spoils should be removed from the field or area to be sodded in a manner that would minimize the amount of wear to the existing turf. Contractor is responsible for damage to existing turf, therefore should make arrangements to minimize the amount of traffic on and off the fields or surrounding grounds. The method necessary to prepare the area will be determined by the County representative. Evenly scarify area to be renovated to a depth of three (3) inches. 2. Laser Graded Areas While laser grading will not be required on all projects, the contractor and Gwinnett County will determine together when laser grading is required. If required, it will then be paid per the square foot price on the bid schedule. Field sub-grade may be laser graded to achieve original drainage patterns of field (direct storm water to existing drainage structures or off field, as required for positive/proper drainage for finished grade after sod installation). Percentage of fall shall not be less than 1.5%, no more than 2%, high points to low. 3. Non-Laser Graded Areas The existing ground shall be graded and leveled to an elevation which will allow the placement of the sod and also allow the final elevation of the sod to drain. All irregularities or depression in the surface shall be filled or smoothed out before the sod is placed. If the existing surface has become hardened or crusted, it shall be cultivated to break up so as to provide a bond with the sod applied. The area will be squared and shall be worked until relatively free from debris and stones. Immediately prior, but not in excess of 24 hours before the sod is placed, the soil surface shall be worked until it is relatively free from debris, washes, gullies, clods and stones, and conforms to a grade which is the thickness of the sod below the established grade. 4. Sod Sod shall be Blue Tag Certified Tif Tuff Bermuda grass sod, harvested within 24 hours prior to delivery and installed within a period of 36 hours after delivery. Sod shall not be harvested or transported when moisture content (excessively dry or wet) may adversely affect its survival. Any sod that has dried out will be rejected and removed from the site by the contractor. Sod shall be machine cut at a uniform soil thickness of one inch, plus or minus one-quarter inch. Measurement of thickness shall be based on the actual soil mat or backing of the sod, and shall exclude top growth and any thatch.
