ODOT’s Local Agency
Certification ProgramThe Basics
Beth Vargas Duncan Certification Program Manager
May 2006
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Road Map…
Covering today:
Certification Program Overview – Who’s Who, What, When, Where, and
Why (Benefits!)
• Questions?
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Who’s Who?
• FHWA -- Federal Aid Highway Program
↓$ Stewardship agreement with FHWA
• ODOT – Administers Federal Aid Program
↓$ Agreement with Local Agency
• Local Agency (LA) – Receives & Uses Funds– Certified Agency process– Non-Certified Agency process
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What is the Certification Program?
• Administered by ODOT’s Local Government Program
• Enables Certified Local Agencies to retain more approval authority & control at the local level when developing FHWA funded, Non- NHS transportation projects
Federal-aid Program
ODOT Oversight
Certified Local
Agencies
Local Projects
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Vision
Excellent Local Agency projects resulting from a vibrant, responsive and collaborative Local Agency Certification Program that:
• Meets all federal requirements• Fulfills ODOT’s stewardship responsibilities• Provides LA’s optimum authority and autonomy using
their own approved processes for the development and delivery of LA federal aid projects
• Results in timely delivery of federally funded projects
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Mission
• Put in place the plans, people, processes and products that will enable the implementation of Local Agency Certification in a timely and cost-effective manner
• Continually monitor and improve the Local Agency Certification Program over time
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Why Certification?
All benefit…
• Local Agencies • ODOT• FHWA• and The Project
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Local Agencies Benefit:
• Save time & money using own approved processes
• Greater flexibility in project delivery
• More local determination of project scope & quality
• Opportunity to build partnerships
• Focused ODOT training & technical assistance
• Helpful when federal emergency projects are requested – FHWA already approved processes
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ODOT Benefits:
• Overall increased efficiency with local authority to manage federal aid projects
• Documented processes help ODOT fulfill its stewardship responsibilities with FHWA
• Avenue to build relationships with Local Agencies
• Focuses ODOT’s resources to program support for Local Agency training, process documentation etc.
• Share planning responsibilities with key partnersstrategically positioned at the local level
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FHWA Benefits:
• Collaborative effort maximizes productivity of transportation funding
• Minimize redundancies or incongruities among transportation systems
• Clarity of roles & responsibilities
• Builds partnerships, open communication and trust
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The Project Benefits:
• Scope
• Schedule
• Budget
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Who is Certified?City of Portland – PDOT • Conditionally Certified• Four test projects pending
Next? • Washington County• City of Eugene• Clackamas County…
Goals• Certify as many Local Agencies as possible and practical• Increase clarity regarding roles & responsibilities of both
Certified and Non-Certified Agency project delivery processes
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Categories of Certification
Certification Status
Conditionally Certified
& Full Certification
Partial Certification(For Specific
Project Elements)
Non-Certified
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Non-Certified
Projects Administered & Work Performed
by Either:
Another Certified Local Agency
(CLA)
ODOT/Consultant
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Partial Certification
LA is Certified to Perform Aspect(s) of a Project
Consultant Selection
Developing PS & E Bid & Award
*ROW
*Civil Rights Construction
*ODOT must have finalapproval of certain elementsper federal requirements
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Conditional & Full Certification
Projects Administered by Registered PE (staff or contract employee)
Successful Completion of 2- 4 “Test” Projects
CLA has Sufficient Expertise & Capability to Perform & Supervise
Project PhasesConsultant Selection
Bid & Award
CLA has Designated Official Approving
Authority
Favorable Performance Mgmt. Review
Such as LA Executive orPolicy Body
PS&E
ROW
Civil Rights
Construction
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Becoming certified…
3LA Submits Application: Commitment Positions,
Qualifications, & Experience
1Preliminary
Interview with Local Agency
4ODOT Reviews LA’s
Procedures & Clarifies Concerns
5ODOT Provides
Notice of Conditional
Certification and IGA’s are Executed
2LA Provides Written
Processes Meeting State & Federal Law
6LA Successfully
Completes 2-4 Test Projects
7Final Certification Status
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Agreements
• Initial Master Agreement – LA agrees to comply with Federal & State law
• Supplemental Project Agreements – Covers all phases of project, clarifies payments
NOTE: Agreements must be executed prior to federal fund
reimbursement
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Certification in Other States
• WashingtonHighways & Local Programs:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TA/HOMEPAGE/HLPHP.html
• CaliforniaDivision of Local Assistance:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms/
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Where to get more information:
Beth Vargas DuncanCertification Program ManagerODOT, Local Government Section355 Capitol Street NE, Room 326Salem, OR [email protected]
ODOT Local Government Programhttp://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/LGS/
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