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Q. For construction projects over $1M:
1. What type of public notice is required by FTA? 2. Does FTA approve the bid package prior to award? 3. What is the FTA clause which must be included if a vendor wishes to submit a bid protest to FTA?
A. FTA procurement requirements are set forth in FTA Circular 4220.1E, which may be found online at http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/fta_c4220_1E.doc. FTA requires only that the project be advertised, but has no specific advertising requirements; grantees may advertise in whatever media they think will best inform prospective bidders of the project and the IFB. This may be local newspapers, the Dodge Report (construction), the Agency's or city's Website, trade magazines, etc.
FTA does not review the bid package prior to award. There is no prescribed clause for your solicitation for bid protests. You should include your own agency protest procedures, and FTA would become involved only when the protestor has exhausted its appeals to the agency and feels the agency has not followed its official procedures.
Q. I would like to receive a description of the responsibilities that should be discharged by the construction inspector in an FTA grant project. I am an independent consultant (PE) under contract with the PRDTOP to provide advice on construction management, etc.
A. FTA has published general guidance for grantees on managing major capital projects: "Project & Construction Management Guidelines (2003 Update)." This document, which is the only official guidance published by FTA on this subject, is available at http://www.fta.dot.gov/publications/reports/other_reports/publications_3875.html
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