Flowchart 3A: Project Development Process, Design Scoping Review Meeting

The design scoping review (DSR) creates an early, on-site review of a project prior to preliminary design. This enables development of a scope of work that will be consistent with the planning and design characteristics. For more information, see 2.01 of the CDOT Project Development Manual.

You should determine the limits of the project. A draft survey request should be one product of the DSR. For right of way acquisition and plans, survey requirements can be found in the CDOT Survey Manual.

The project scope must address the CDOT policy for Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines. See CDOT Procedural Directive 605.1, ADA Accessibility Requirements in CDOT Transportation Projects, found under resources on this site.

Whenever possible, you should conduct the DSR after you have selected a consultant, but before executing the consultant contract. This enables all parties to ensure that all task items assigned to the consultant are properly addressed in the consultant contract. The consultant will not receive any compensation for activities that precede the Notice to Proceed.

CDOT will determine project features and potential issues at the design scoping review meeting, including a review of the project budget and schedule.

Following the DSR the CDOT project manager will issue a letter to your agency that identifies items needed to clear the project for construction.

At the DSR, CDOT will work with you to assess the need for a Finding in the Public Interest (FIPI) for force account materials or labor. Under limited circumstances, subject to CDOT's approval, it may be in the public interest for your agency to construct a portion of a project on a force account basis. In this context, the term "force account construction method" means the direct performance of project work by your agency using labor, equipment and materials furnished by it and used under its direct control.

Information on situations that may justify a request for a Force Account Construction Method – Finding in the Public Interest (FIPI) are listed in CDOT Form 895 Force Account Contruction Method – Finding in the Public Interest.

This assessment will be performed at the final office review meeting, as the need for a FIPI may not be identified until a project is almost complete. If a FIPI is required for a patented, proprietary, research or experimental purpose, see Flowchart 3B.

Additional information can be found in FHWA's video on Cost-Effective Determinations and Public-Interest Findings.

The Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction (referred to as the Standard Specifications) contains the standard specifications used to control the work on federally funded local agency administered projects.

Standard special provisions revise, clarify or supersede the Standard Specification book to implement current CDOT construction and materials requirements.

Project special provisions are revisions to the standard specifications that supplement or modify a particular aspect, item or condition contained in the plans, specifications, and bid package specific to a particular project. Project special provisions supersede the standard special provisions and provide the contractor and project manager specific information and requirements related to specific aspects of a particular project.

Most local agencies use the CDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction as supplemented by CDOT Standard Special Provisions (SSP), and CDOT Project Special Provisions (PSP). Your agency's specifications may be used only with prior approval from CDOT.