Position Statement on Geotechnical Baseline Reports-PDF

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The Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) endorses geotechnical baseline reports (GBRs) for geotechnical and geo-structural construction projects. A GBR serves as the contractor’s sole contractual geotechnical interpretive document for bidding and construction, helping clarify subsurface conditions and allocate related risks.<br /><br />DFI recommends using a GBR when subsurface risks could significantly affect construction methods, cost, or schedule. Its effectiveness depends on an appropriately scoped geotechnical investigation and a reliable geotechnical data report. Baselines should be clear, reasonable, measurable, and observable, and the GBR should be developed by an experienced multidisciplinary team familiar with local geology, design, construction, and project-specific risk management.<br /><br />GBRs work best when they support a shared understanding and fair allocation of risk between owners and contractors. Using them to shift all risk to one party can undermine trust, encourage contractors to add costly contingencies, and fail to reduce disputes or overall project costs. Contracts may also include complementary provisions, such as differing site conditions clauses and dispute review boards, where appropriate.<br /><br />DFI encourages owners, designers, and contractors to understand the purpose and proper development of GBRs, drawing on established guidance such as the ASCE 2022 manual and DFI committee resources.

Keywords

geotechnical baseline report

GBR

Deep Foundations Institute

geotechnical construction

subsurface risk

risk allocation

contractor bidding

differing site conditions

geotechnical investigation

project risk management