FTA Oversight Procedures - Federal Transit Administration - U.S. ...

U.S. DOT Federal Transit Administration
TPM-20 Office of Engineering
Project Management Oversight
Oversight Procedure 46.1 – LPA Review and Readiness to Enter PE Review
______________________________________________________________________________
1.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this Oversight Procedure is to describe the review, analysis and recommendation
procedures and reporting requirements expected by Federal Transit Administration (FTA) from the
Project Management Oversight Contractor (PMOC) as regards the reliability of the project scope, cost,
and schedule of the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) and readiness of the project to enter
preliminary engineering (PE).
2.0 BACKGROUND
When a Grantee requests entry to PE for a proposed project, FTA undertakes a number of reviews.
This review by the PMOC provides FTA with critical input – assessment, conclusions,
recommendations, and professional opinions substantiated with project information and comparative
industry bench marks -- regarding the reliability of the project scope, cost, and schedule of the LPA.
This review also includes an analysis of the adequacy of the Grantee’s technical capacity and
capability to perform preliminary engineering work to develop the LPA into a project. Also, Grantee
submittals are reviewed to verify the Grantee’s compliance with applicable Federal requirements and
FTA program requirements.
Consistent with 49 USC 5309(e) (6) and 5328(a) (2, 3), FTA approves/disapproves the entry of a
proposed project into PE within 30 days of receipt of a formal request from the Grantee provided the
following actions have been completed:
• The Alternatives Analysis was completed and the LPA was selected in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA);
• The LPA has been incorporated by the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) into its
financially constrained metropolitan transportation plan;
• The Grantee demonstrates adequate technical capacity and capability to carry out preliminary
engineering for the proposed project;
• Other applicable Federal requirements and FTA program requirements are met.
FTA's approval is based on the results of its evaluation as described in 49 CFR Sec. 611.9-611.13. At a
minimum, a proposed project must receive an overall rating of "Medium'' to be approved for entry to
PE. The PMOC’s performance of this review as documented in a written report is critical input to
FTA evaluation and decision making.
3.0 OBJECTIVES
With intense competition for limited Federal New Starts funding, project admittance into the New
Stars pipeline is carefully considered. Project Sponsor submittals must undergo a thorough review to
ensure that projects entered into preliminary engineering are meritorious and have a high likelihood of
OP 46.1 LPA Review and Readiness to enter PE
Revision 0, June 2008
Page 1 of 8