Quality Assurance Program

General
For all LG projects, independently of the contractor, the LG shall provide inspection services and construction materials testing as part of the LG’s quality assurance program (QAP). The LG’s construction materials testing shall be used for materials acceptance or for verification of a contractor’s test results to be used for acceptance, if applicable, and used to assure the materials incorporated into the project substantially meet project plans and specifications. The LG may develop its own QAP or adopt the appropriate TxDOT
QAP
pertinent to the type of project delivery method used:
  • QAP for design-bid-build projects; or
  • QAP for design-build projects.
If the LG develops its own QAP, it will need to submit the QAP to TxDOT for review and approval. This QAP must include an acceptance program and an independent assurance program as described in the
LGPM Guide
. Any program developed by the LG must receive approval from TxDOT prior to use.
Federal Requirement
  1. 23 CFR Part 637 Subpart B
    – For projects on the national highway system, requires the contracting agency to have a QAP approved by FHWA. The program must provide for an acceptance program and an independent assurance program and is intended to assure the quality of materials used in construction.
  2. 23 CFR Part 637 Subpart B, Appendix A
    – Provides a written certification that materials incorporated into a project on the national highway system are in conformity with the approved plans and specifications.
  3. 23 CFR §637.207(a)(1)(iv)
    – For design-build projects, allows the use of warranties where appropriate.
  4. 23 CFR §637.207(b)
    – For design-build projects, provides that the requirements for a QAP still apply. The program shall meet
    FHWA Technical Advisory 6120.3
    in addition to
    23 CFR §637.207(b)
    . There is some added flexibility to use the design-builder’s quality control testing, but there must be independent verification of those results.
State Requirement
  1. Texas Local Government Code §271.908
    – Requires a municipality or county governmental entity to provide or contract for, independently of the contractor, the inspection services, the testing of construction materials engineering and the verification testing services necessary for acceptance of the facility or project by the governmental entity.
  2. Texas Local Government Code §271.908
    and
    Texas Government Code §2269.356
    – For design-build projects, requires the LG to provide or contract for material engineering, testing and verification testing that is independent from the design-build firm.
  3. 43 TAC §26.33(g)(1)
    – Requires a RMA to use specifications conforming to the latest TxDOT standard specifications on projects that connect with the state highway system.
  4. 43 TAC §27.56(c)(3)
    – Requires a regional tollway authority to use specifications conforming to the latest TxDOT standard specifications on projects with state fund participation.
Required Practices
The
LGPM Guide
describes the required practices that must be followed by the LG and the TxDOT district office with respect to a QAP.