FHWA Resource Center
CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM
Brochure
Construction & Project Management Technical Service Team
Your source for construction and project management solutions!
June 2004
Accelerated Construction Technology Transfer (ACTT)
ACTT is a strategic process that identifies innovative ways to reduce construction time on major highway projects while enhancing safety and quality. Workshops are held throughout the country. The purpose of the workshops is twofold. First, they draw on the expertise of participants to help generate specific, practical recommendations for the ongoing development of a major project in the area. Second, attendees are able to see how the process works in a real-life scenario so that they can apply ACTT in their own agencies, institutionalizing the process. The Construction and Project Management Team is prepared to assist in the coordination and execution of these workshops.
Innovative Contracting Solutions: Alternative Contracting Methods
In today's highway construction environment, "When will the project be delivered?" and "How much delay will be experienced during construction?" are often as critical to the public as minimizing cost. 'Get in, get out and stay out' is the public mantra. The standard design process followed by the low bid contractor award is not always the most effective means of project delivery.
Alternative Contracting methods available for consideration on special needs projects include:
- Cost plus time bidding - Often referred to as A+B bidding, this contracting procedure selects the low bidder based on a monetary combination of the contract bid items (A) and the time (B) needed to complete the critical portion of the project.
- Design-Build - This procurement method is used when a single entity provides both the design and construction through a single contract between the owner and the Design-Build firm.
- Lane Rental - This is an innovative contracting technique by which a contractor is charged a fee for occupying lanes or shoulders to do the work. The fee based on road user cost motivates the contractor to minimize the time that a lane, shoulder or combinations of lanes and shoulders are out of service.
- Warranty Clauses - This method specifies a guarantee of the integrity of a product and of the contractor/producer responsibility for the replacement or repair of deficiencies. FHWA's current policy in Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations 635.413 permits warranties on National Highway System projects for specific construction products or features.
Contract Administration Technical Assistance: Federal Aid Solutions
Working through contract provisions, administrative procedures, and applicable policies related to Federal-aid design and construction contracts often leads to questions. Having resources available to answer those questions quickly and accurately is critical to meeting stakeholders needs.
The Construction and Project Management Team can provide:
- Contract Administration Technical Assistance - The Technical Service Team provides assistance interpreting construction contract provisions and contracting procedures for conformance with Federal-aid requirements.
- Recommend Strategies and Identify Opportunities - Navigating through the administrative protocol can be confusing. The Technical Service Team can assist and recommend strategies and applications in a practical and meaningful approach.
- Coordinate Group Training - The team members, in cooperation with FHWA Headquarters staff, provide up-to-date training in "Contract Administration Core Curriculum Course". This training is tailored to FHWA and state highway agencies' application of contract procedures, polices, and requirements prescribed in 23 CFR Sections 230, 633 and 635 and relates them to Federal-aid construction contracts.
- (Alternative Contracting Community of Practice ) is a website intended to provide FHWA, state and local agency staff with a forum for sharing alternative contracting methods, processes, experiences and other information that may aid in the delivery of highway construction projects nationwide.
Construction Claim Technical Assistance: Working Through Differences
Are you or your transportation delivery partners seeing an increase in disputes regarding contract requirements and actual requirements imposed during construction? Is it a directed or constructive change? Are you using a claims avoidance strategy? Often an independent review of the facts resulting from a dispute will perceive situations from a new perspective. We can assist and recommend ways to develop strategies and applications to avoid claims in a practical and meaningful approach. New and seasoned staff alike can benefit from exposure to a coordinated curriculum such as National Highway Institute's "Avoiding and Managing Highway Contract Claims."
Construction Quality Initiatives:
Quality Highway Construction
With reductions in state construction staffing, ever changing technologies and programs, changes in construction specifications, rules and procedures, are you satisfied that you are getting high quality, long lasting pavements and bridges? Has your stewardship program changed to reflect current needs and quality assurance requirements? Is your staff in need of technical assistance or mentoring the construction discipline? We are available to provide technical assistance and training to divisions and state highway agencies. We can assist in developing quality assurance and quality management programs.
Global Positioning System (GPS) Surveying
GPS is a space-based, radio-navigation system that provides worldwide, all-weather, three-dimensional position, velocity, navigation, and time data to both civilian and military users. Potential uses for GPS within the highway community are diverse and range from providing traveler information to mapping (GPS technology can be integrated easily with Geographic Information Systems).
The United States depends on a safe and efficient transportation system to strengthen communities, to provide access to jobs, services, and centers of trade; and to retain and enhance our economic competitiveness in the global marketplace. FHWA supports transportation decisionmakers as they manage the comprehensive transportation planning process. This process considers many factors including: economic development, safety and security, environment, land use and system preservation, and maintenance and integration.
The Construction & Project Management Technical Service Team at FHWA's Resource Center helps support the construction and project management process through the provision of technical assistance, technology transfer and interagency coordination. Our vision is that transportation projects and decisions will be based on state of the practice and state of the art construction practices, thereby improving the quality of life for all Americans. Our mission is to promote effective transportation construction and project management practices nationwide through training and technical assistance. We are here to help you successfully meet your organizational goals.
The FHWA Resource Center Construction & Project Management Technical Service Team offers expertise in a number of specialty areas. Information about some of these areas is provided here; along with some of our briefings and seminars that are currently offered or are under development. Please contact us for construction and project management assistance. We want to be your source for construction and project management solutions!
The Construction & Project Management Technical Service Team is also available to provide expert assistance with your conferences and workshops. We encourage partnering at all levels and we can partner with you to deploy innovations and solutions.
The United States depends on a safe and efficient transportation system to strengthen communities, to provide access to jobs, services, and centers of trade; and to retain and enhance our economic competitiveness in the global marketplace. FHWA supports transportation decisionmakers as they manage the comprehensive transportation planning process. This process considers many factors including: economic development, safety and security, environment, land use and system preservation, and maintenance and integration.
The Construction & Project Management Technical Service Team at FHWA's Resource Center helps support the construction and project management process through the provision of technical assistance, technology transfer and interagency coordination. Our vision is that transportation projects and decisions will be based on state of the practice and state of the art construction practices, thereby improving the quality of life for all Americans. Our mission is to promote effective transportation construction and project management practices nationwide through training and technical assistance. We are here to help you successfully meet your organizational goals.
The FHWA Resource Center Construction & Project Management Technical Service Team offers expertise in a number of specialty areas. Information about some of these areas is provided here; along with some of our briefings and seminars that are currently offered or are under development. Please contact us for construction and project management assistance. We want to be your source for construction and project management solutions!
The Construction & Project Management Technical Service Team is also available to provide expert assistance with your conferences and workshops. We encourage partnering at all levels and we can partner with you to deploy innovations and solutions.
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