Certification Program An Overview

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CertificationProgramAn Overview

• Beth Vargas Duncan
• Certification Program Manager
• December 6, 2007

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Road Map

• Certification Program
• What are we talking about
• Whats What and Whos Who
• Why are we doing this, how and
• Where are we going?

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What are we talking about

• The Certification Program is a part of ODOTs
  Local Government Program
• Certification enables certified local agencies to
  retain more approval authority and local control
  when delivering federally funded Non-NHS
  transportation projects

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Whats What?

• Non- Federal-Aid
• No federal funding, or uses fund exchange
• Federal-Aid Traditional (Non-Certified)
• Example ODOT owns the construction contract
• Federal-Aid Certified Local Agency Projects
• Example Local agency owns the construction
  contract

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Whos Who?

• Stewardship Agreement
• FHWA to ODOT

Master Certification Agreement
ODOT
to Local Agency
Certified Local Agency
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Why are we doing this

• Title 23 recognizes ODOT as direct recipient of
  federal-aid funds
• SAFETEA-LU indicates states shall be responsible
  for determining that sub-recipients of federal
  funds have
• Adequate project delivery systems
• Sufficient accounting controls to properly manage
  federal funds

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Why are we doing this

• ODOT cannot delegate its responsibilities
• ODOT is permitted to delegate certain activities
  under its supervision to local agencies

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Why Certification?

• 1. Next Best Thing to Fund Exchange
• 2. Benefits
• LAs, ODOT, FHWA and The Project
• Communication
• Control
• Cost/Time

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Becoming Certified
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Certification Process Cont

• The Certification Program provides a process for
  local agencies to demonstrate capabilities such
  as
• Adequate project delivery systems
• Sufficient accounting controls to properly manage
  federal funds
• Appropriate resources and staff to properly
  manage federally funded projects

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Partial Certification
ODOT must have final approval of certain
elements per federal requirements
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What have we done
Revised LAG Manual

• Designed to be
• User friendly
• Read and used online hyperlinks!!
• Up-to-date (revised every 6 months)
• Read by a wide audience (3 Sections)
• A. Introduction
• B. Non-certified
• C. Certified

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Where is Certification Going?

• Identify local agencies interested in
  Certification (4 pursuing now)
• Develop work plan and timeline
• Progress toward Certification
• Trainings

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Where to get more information
ODOT Local Government Program http//www.oregon.go
v/ODOT/HWY/LGS/

• Beth Vargas Duncan, MPA JD
• Certification Program Manager
• ODOT, Local Government Section
• 355 Capitol Street NE, Room 326
• Salem, OR 97301
• 503-986-3649
• elizabeth.vargasduncan_at_odot.state.or.us