Manual Notice: 2024-1
From: John Jameson, Director, Local Government Programs Section
Manual: Local Government Projects Policy Manual
Effective Date: May 20, 2024
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The Local Government Projects Policy Manual provides applicable laws and regulations for local governments (LGs) developing transportation projects under the oversight of the Texas Department of Transportation. This manual addresses both state of Texas requirements and federal requirements administered through the Federal Highway Administration; however, it does not address public transportation, aviation or concessionaire projects.
This update to the manual includes changes to Chapters 2, 4, 7, 8 and 10, including updated references to state and federal laws and regulations, changes associated with local government project requirements and oversight, and general clarification of various manual provisions.
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Chapter 2 – Project Initiation
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- Added reference to 23 CFR 1.11(b) that allows TxDOT to partner with LGs on projects.
Chapter 4 – Preliminary Engineering and Design
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- Changed “estimated cost” to “estimated total project cost.” Anchor: #QRJATYDI
- Added reference to 23 CFR §627.7(a)(4) for Value Engineering Change Proposals (VECP). Anchor: #MOFUGCLQ
- Added language that VECP cannot be used on projects.
Chapter 7 – Project Development for Design
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- Clarified the agencies that can suspend or debar a contractor. Anchor: #URCLQECD
- Changed the header from “Form FHWA-1273” to “Form FHWA-1273 and Required Contractor Certifications.” Anchor: #RHVQSUWB
- Added references to Texas Government Code §§809.501, 2271.002, 2274.002 and Chapter 552, Subchapter J for the required contractor certifications. Anchor: #VNTMRYKT
- Updated language that LGs are not allowed to specify a local preference for bidders on federal-aid contracts. Anchor: #DLWIXOQL
- Added reference to the “Enhancing Highway Workforce Development Opportunities Contracting Initiative” notice.
Chapter 8 – Letting and Award
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- Added language that bid item negotiations are not allowed between bid opening and contract execution. Anchor: #DSWTMHMJ
- Added reference to 23 CFR §635.113(a).
Chapter 10 – Project Close-out and Maintenance
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- Changed “project audit” to “project review.” Anchor: #XQEDQKPR
- Fixed misspelling of FHWA Form PR-20.
Supersedes
Local Government Projects Policy Manual 2022-1
Anchor: #i998614Contact
For more information about this manual, please contact the Transportation Programs Division’s Local Government Programs Section at lgpo@txdot.gov.
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Past manual notices are available in a PDF archive.