Submittal of PS&E Documents

General
The PS&E are prepared by the LG and submitted to the TxDOT district for review and approval. On most projects, it is recommended the PS&E be submitted at several stages in the project, reflecting the 30 percent, 60 percent and 90 percent completion phases, in order to receive TxDOT [and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), when required] concurrence during development of the design aspects of the project. For less complex projects, the TxDOT district may allow fewer submittals.
The 30 percent complete design is submitted in the Preliminary Engineering and Design phase. The 60 percent and 90 percent complete designs are submitted in the PS&E Development phase. Upon final submittal, the PS&E and bid documents are reviewed and approved by TxDOT and a state letter of authority and federal project authorization and agreement, if required, are issued that allow advertising of the construction phase of the project. The district or division managing the AFA should also ensure the collection of the agreed-upon funds for this phase of the project from the LG in accordance with the terms of the AFA.
Federal Requirements
  1. 23 CFR Part 630 Subpart A
    – Requires TxDOT to obtain authorization from FHWA before work begins on any federally funded project.
  2. 23 CFR Part 630 Subpart B
    – Prescribes procedures to be followed for the preparation, submission and approval of the PS&E, and supporting documents for federally funded projects.
  3. 23 CFR Part 635 Subpart C
    – Requires authorization before a federally funded project may be advertised for the receipt of bids. PS&E approval is a pre-requisite of authorization for design-bid-build projects. For design-build projects, FHWA’s approval of the request for proposals document will constitute FHWA’s project authorization. However, phased authorizations may be given under certain conditions contained in
    23 CFR §635.309(p)
    .
State Requirements
  1. 43 TAC §15.56
    – Requires projects on the state highway system to be designed in accordance with TxDOT manuals, procedures, standards and guidelines. Additionally requires approval of the PS&E by TxDOT prior to advertisement for the receipt of bids for projects on the state highway system.
Required Practices
The
LGPM Guide
provides the required practices and LG and TxDOT responsibilities for submittal of bid documents. In general, the LG must coordinate with the district and submit the final PS&E well in advance of the proposed letting date.