ODOT’s Local Agency Certification Program The Basics Beth Vargas Duncan Certification Program Manager May 2006

2 Road Map… Covering today: Certification Program Overview –Who’s Who, What, When, Where, and Why (Benefits!) Questions?

3 Who’s Who? FHWA -- Federal Aid Highway Program ↓ $Stewardship agreement with FHWA ODOT – Administers Federal Aid Program ↓ $Agreement with Local Agency Local Agency (LA) – Receives & Uses Funds –Certified Agency process –Non-Certified Agency process

4 What is the Certification Program? Administered by ODOT’s Local Government Program Enables Certified Local Agencies to retain more approval authority & control at the local level when developing FHWA funded, Non- NHS transportation projects

5 Vision Excellent Local Agency projects resulting from a vibrant, responsive and collaborative Local Agency Certification Program that: Meets all federal requirements Fulfills ODOT’s stewardship responsibilities Provides LA’s optimum authority and autonomy using their own approved processes for the development and delivery of LA federal aid projects Results in timely delivery of federally funded projects

6 Mission Put in place the plans, people, processes and products that will enable the implementation of Local Agency Certification in a timely and cost-effective manner Continually monitor and improve the Local Agency Certification Program over time

7 Why Certification? All benefit… Local Agencies ODOT FHWA and The Project

8 Local Agencies Benefit: Save time & money using own approved processes Greater flexibility in project delivery More local determination of project scope & quality Opportunity to build partnerships Focused ODOT training & technical assistance Helpful when federal emergency projects are requested – FHWA already approved processes

9 ODOT Benefits: Overall increased efficiency with local authority to manage federal aid projects Documented processes help ODOT fulfill its stewardship responsibilities with FHWA Avenue to build relationships with Local Agencies Focuses ODOT’s resources to program support for Local Agency training, process documentation etc. Share planning responsibilities with key partners strategically positioned at the local level

10 FHWA Benefits: Collaborative effort maximizes productivity of transportation funding Minimize redundancies or incongruities among transportation systems Clarity of roles & responsibilities Builds partnerships, open communication and trust

11 The Project Benefits: Scope Schedule Budget

12 Who is Certified? City of Portland – PDOT Conditionally Certified Four test projects pending Next? Washington County City of Eugene Clackamas County… Goals Certify as many Local Agencies as possible and practical Increase clarity regarding roles & responsibilities of both Certified and Non-Certified Agency project delivery processes

13 Categories of Certification

14 Non-Certified

15 Partial Certification *ODOT must have final approval of certain elements per federal requirements

16 Conditional & Full Certification

17 Becoming certified…

18 Agreements Initial Master Agreement –LA agrees to comply with Federal & State law Supplemental Project Agreements –Covers all phases of project, clarifies payments NOTE: Agreements must be executed prior to federal fund reimbursement

19 Certification in Other States Washington Highways & Local Programs: California Division of Local Assistance:

20 Where to get more information: Beth Vargas Duncan Certification Program Manager ODOT, Local Government Section 355 Capitol Street NE, Room 326 Salem, OR ODOT Local Government Program