Implementation Guidelines - Federal Transit Administration - U.S. ...

Section 5. IS A CONSORTIUM
RIGHT FOR YOU?
Although consortium membership
may offer significant advantages, there
are also potential disadvantages, which
should be considered. Consider
available resources and your need or
desire for specific services before
deciding to join a consortium.
First, identify your agency’s specific
needs:
• Consider the number and
types of tests you will be
conducting, where the testing
will be performed, and the
hours when testing may be
required. The number of
tests needed will be an
indicator of the amount of
time required to oversee the
program and determine
potential cost savings that
may be achieved in a
consortium.
• The random selection process
must be acceptable. Will a
larger pool ensure the
credibility of the test? Will
confidentiality be enhanced?
Will employees perceive the
selection process to be
objective?
• The size of your service area
will affect your needs. Are
service agents readily
available in your service area,
or do you need help
identifying service agents
that are willing and able to
meet all of your needs?
• Political and legal concerns
may determine if you should
distance the testing program
from your operation. This
distance may minimize issues
concerning confidentiality or
the integrity of the testing
process.
• Does the consortium have
members regulated by other
DOT agencies?
• Will the consortium be
comprised of members that
fall under the FTA, Federal
Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA),
other modal administrations,
or some combination thereof?
While the testing
requirements by themselves
have essentially parallel
components, there are
differences in policy
orientation that should be
taken into consideration. Will
this impact the quality of
service you are provided?
Next, find out what staffing,
financial, and legal resources are
available internally. Your staff’s size,
expertise, and their availability will
determine how much of your testing
program can be in-house. Testing
programs require a significant amount of
time to set up. Efforts must be made to
train supervisors and employers, procure
services, monitor service agent
performance, oversee billing, and
prepare reports.
The financial resources available to
your agency are another factor. When
analyzing costs, consider the cost per
Chapter 11. Joining a Consortium 11-11 August 2002