VDOT Business: Construction Division AWARD Memorandum

CONSTRUCTION DIVISION MEMORANDUM
GENERAL SUBJECT: QUALITY CONSTRUCTION	NUMBER: CD-94-10
SPECIFIC SUBJECT: CONSTRUCTION AWARD PROGRAM	DATE: AUGUST 26, 1994
	Original w/Signature on file in Construction Division
	C. F. GEE
	CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER
DIRECTED TO - DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS
It is the intention of VDOT to obtain quality materials and workmanship on our construction projects and ensure we get the best quality product possible. In an effort to encourage quality construction, a construction award program has been developed jointly by VDOT and industry to publicly recognize the "best quality" project. Recognition will be given to both the prime contractor and the project inspector at the Spring Contractor/Engineer conference.
Projects eligible for this year's selection must have been completed between January 1 and November 1, 1994. The time cycle for following years will be November 1 of one year to October 31 of the next year. Also to be eligible, projects must have grading, drainage, structure, and paving work elements included in the project. In future years, other categories of projects with different major work elements may be added.
Attached are the policy statement, goals, selection process and criteria, and Residency/District selection form. Please review these documents and, if you have a project you would like to nominate, submit it to me by January 1 for consideration by the evaluation committee.

DWN:er

AWARD PROGRAM

POLICY STATEMENT

An Award Program that recognizes the "Best Quality" project would be beneficial overall to both the Department and to the Construction Industry.

GOALS

* Recognition for the "Best Quality" Project.

* Provide Management the opportunity to identify and give credit to the construction firm and Departmental representatives involved with the project. Distribute award.

* Encourage competition in the construction industry to produce "Quality" work that exceeds minimum specifications.

* Encourage cooperation between construction firms and Departmental representative to facilitate the construction of the project.

* Keep the Award Program simple and keep criteria to minimum.

* Easy on Residency/District Personnel to select a "finalist."

* Easy on Central office Review Committee to determine the "Best" project.

Selection Process & Criteria

The selection process has intentionally been made as simple as possible. It was quite apparent that numerous criteria could be established to provide guidelines for judging contracts by Department personnel. The Award Committee decided a two-tier evaluation process should be considered. The initial evaluation would be at the Residency/District level and should produce a single finalist to be submitted to the Central Office Award Evaluation Committee. The second evaluation would be solely for the nine or less finalists as submitted by the Districts. The Central Office Award Evaluation Committee would select a "winner" from these finalists.

The attached selection criteria were developed by the Award Program Committee to provide a unified approach to the selection of the "Best Quality" project. The Residency/District selection criteria is intended to be a guide to evaluate quickly the perceived "Best Quality" projects. Intentionally a scale was not included with these criteria. We wanted to insure Residencies and Districts are given ample latitude to determine their candidate. A District does not have and should not submit a finalist if deemed not appropriate.

After determining a District finalist, each District should submit a one page (front only) document promoting their selection and the Residency/District selection evaluation form (copy attached) with explanations for each applicable criteria.

The Central Office Award Evaluation Committee will select a "winner" from the District candidates. This committee will use the criteria attached to aid in its selection of the "Best Quality" Project. This committee will be composed of the following persons:

State Construction Engineer

State Structure & Bridge Engineer

State Materials Engineer

State Maintenance Engineer

Assistant State Construction Engineer

In order for a project to be considered in this program, it was decided that the following major construction elements must be included as a part of the project:

1. Grading

2. Drainage (Ex. Roadside ditches, pipes, drop inlets, etc.)

3. Structure (Ex. Bridge, box culvert, sound wall, multi-line pipe (50 sq. ft.) etc.)

4. Paving (Ex. Concrete, asphalt, surface treatment, etc.)

Only projects that incorporate the above four major elements will be considered for the award. Residency/District personnel should insure that their finalist meets the established criteria. Additional ward categories could be developed if deemed necessary.

RESIDENCY/DISTRICT SELECTION FORM

The District finalist should represent the "Best Quality" project constructed within the District and should have been constructed in a manner that exceeds the Department's minimum Standards. Listed below are established criteria to aid in the selection of a District Finalist.

1. COOPERATION

Contractual Relations (keep VDOT personnel aware) Comments:

Stay on schedule (timeliness) Comments:

Paperwork (submitted) Comments:

Public Relations Comments:

Effort (performance) Comments:

Payment to Subcontractors, Suppliers, etc. Comments:

2. PAVEMENT

Ride Comments:

Longitudinal & Transverse Joints Comments:

Uniformity/Texture of Material Comments:

Edge Alignment, Tapers, Radii Comments:

Hand Work - Match Gutters, Manholes, etc. Comments:

3. STRUCTURES

Ride Comments:

Concrete Finish (deck, parapet, substructure, etc.) Comments:

Neatness of form work Comments:

Joints (longitudinal & transverse) Comments:

General Impression (structural members, painting, rail alignment, drains, riprap, etc.) Comments:

4. APPEARANCE

Roadway Comments:

Structures Comments:

Shoulders Comments:

Drainage (ditches, drop inlets) Comment:

Slopes (conform to natural topography or proper cross section) Comments:

Guidance Features (pavement marking, signs, reflectors, etc.) Comments:

Establishment of Vegetation or well seeded and mulched:

5. OTHERS (Pertinent Items That May Merit Consideration During Your Review.)