Caltrans presentation by Jeremy Peterson-Self on the centralization of the Independent Assurance program and impacts to shtakeholders. Delivered May 6, 2020 to the CalAPA Technical Committee webinar.

1. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Centralization of the IA
Program and Impacts to
Stakeholders

2. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Presenter
Jeremy Peterson-Self
Branch Chief - Independent
Assurance North / Joint
Training & Certification
Program
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3. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Agenda
 Background
 Planning
 Communication
 Organization
 Program Highlights
 Stakeholder Impacts
 COVID-19 Response
 Summary
 Questions
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4. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Background
Independent Assurance (IA) Program
What is it?
The IA Program is a part of overall
Caltrans Quality Assurance Program
that ensures sampling and testing of
materials is performed by qualified
laboratories and testers.
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5. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Background
IA Program
Why?
Title 23, Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) Section
637 Subpart B.
How?
Lab Accreditations (~530)
Tester Certifications (~2800)
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6. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Background
Historical Program Delivery
• IA Program managed by
METS
• IA Program administered by
District personnel under the
supervision of District
Material Engineer
• Local Assistance IA
administered by METS
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Background
Problem Statements:
• Managing when not in charge
• Conflict of interest
• Statewide consistency
• Efficiency
• Project direct charging
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8. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Planning
Legislative Bills
• SB 389
• AB 2433
• Result: Caltrans
informed that this
may be done
administratively
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Planning
Concept of Centralized IA
• Workload estimating
• Staffing locations (heat map)
and scheduling
• Identification of challenges
(resources, logistics, remote
management, etc.)
• Workplan development
• Execution of the workplan
(continuous update)
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IA Heat Map

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Planning
Decision Document
• Deputy Division Chief
(METS)
• Deputy Division Chief
(Construction)
• Division Chief
(DES)
• Division Chief
(Construction)
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Communication
Communication/Communication/Communication
• Construction Management Board
• District Executive Management
• District Materials Engineers
• IA Personnel
• Industry Partners
• Lab Managers
• Technicians
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Communication
IA Centralized
• Effective January 1, 2020
• Brought on several District IA
staff
• 3 Branch Structure
• IA North / Joint Training and
Certification Program
• IA Central / Reference Sample
Program
• IA South
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Organization
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Program Highlights
Revamped IA Program Website
Includes:
• Dispatch Process
• IA Service Request Forms
• Statewide IA Contacts
• Link to JTCP website
• Link to Inertial Profiler
website
https://dot.ca.gov/programs/engineering-
services/independent-assurance-program
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Program Highlights
IA Service Request and Dispatch Process
• Formalizes the request process
• Single point of contact for IA Service requests:
IA.Service.Request@dot.ca.gov
• Statewide workload balancing for improved service
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Program Highlights
IA Dispatch Process (cont.)
• Five (5) IA Service Request Forms
• TL-0118 – Laboratory Accreditation
Request Form
• TL-0119 – Reference Sample
Program Questionnaire
• TL-0120 – Technician Certification
Request Form
• TL-0121 – Technician Training and
Evaluation Record
• TL-0122 – Employer Affidavit of
Testing Proficiency
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Program Highlights
That’s It!
• Many of the same IA’s
• A little more work on the front end
• Adequate Lead Time
• 30 days for Lab Accreditation
• 15 days for Technician Certification
• Feedback:
IA.Service.Request@dot.ca.gov
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18. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Program Highlights
Program Benefits
• Statewide Consistency
• Efficiency
• IA Program Continuous
Improvements
• Exclusive IA work
• METS visibility on
statewide material
testing concerns
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Program Highlights
What’s Next?
Meet our initial objectives of
consistency and efficiency
• Lots of good ideas from our
new team members on how
to improve the program
• Need to harness this
information, prioritize and
strategically address
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20. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
COVID-19 Response
IA Program
• Still delivering this essential service to keep projects
moving forward with slight modifications
• Extensions provided to those who qualify
• Requires scheduling a future certification date
• New labs/technicians
• Slightly modified procedures – call ahead to ensure
safety of all participants
• Must still submit full IA Service Request package for
both cases
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21. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
COVID-19 Response
Joint Training and Certification Program
• Currently shut down due to University Closures
• Expected to Resume May 26th
• Potential for changes based on CDC & Local Guidelines
• Extensions are provided
• Must be enrolled in a future session
• Provisional Certifications are provided
• Must be enrolled in a future session
• Written and Practical Examination will be provided
• Additional information at both CSULB and Caltrans JTCP
websites
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22. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Summary
Takeaways
• The IA program has been centralized under 3
branches within METS to bring Statewide
Consistency and Efficiency.
• We will look to continue improving the IA
Program.
• Modified COVID-19 Response
• Feedback: IA.Service.Request@dot.ca.gov
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Questions?