Tag: INDOT

National Stormwater Quality Certification

Posted on by Dan Osborn

Envirocert and CISEC storm water quality certifications are offering on-line training and exam solutions to comply with CDC, state, and local restrictions. Envirocert’s CESSWI and CPESC and the CISEC certifications are options to fulfill INDOT’s national certification requirement found in the Standard Specification section 205.03 (b) (2) Level 2 Stormwater Quality Manager.

See the following information provided by both certifying organizations about modifications to their programs.

ENVIROCERT (CESSWI & CPESC)

At Home/Office Online Exam with Remote Proctoring

In an effort to provide applicants with an immediate option to take exams, ECI is in the process of developing a “computer proctoring approach” which will allow applicants to take exams at their home or office. Exams will be administered online, utilizing a remote proctor that will monitor their computers via webcam. Strict security measures will be implemented to ensure exam security.

ECI has gone to great lengths to implement this technology to allow individuals to continue to work towards their Professional Certifications. Exams have been reduced to three (3) hours (full exam) to assist during these times. In order to facilitate a successful event, the vendor(s) will ensure that the examinee’s personal computer equipment and internet connectivity meets the necessary system requirements. Examinees will be able to choose between two (2) vendors who offer the ECI Certification Exams: learn.net or Prometrics. Both will administer exams online, utilizing remote proctoring and offer a bundle option for the General Principles Review and the certification exam as well as the Part A (when applicable).

Launch A

(End of April 2020)

QSM | Part A | CESSWI

Launch B

(May 2020)

CPESC | CESSWI-SI | CPESC-SI

If you have additional questions or would like any additional information, please contact ECI at info@envirocert.org or call 828-655-1600.

CISEC

CISEC, Inc. is adhering to CDC, State and local restrictions associated with the COVID-19 situation  that is impacting the nation. Since attendance in an in-person CISEC program is not feasible at this time, CISEC is ready to assist you in enrolling into its online training modules and finding a proctor to administer your CISEC certification examination. Of course, should you want to you want to wait until they are once again available, there will not be any problem transferring your registration to a future in-person program.  

Accessing the CISEC On-Line Training Modules

Your enrollment in the CISEC Online Training modules will be covered by your already paid in-person training fees.  Instructions for access are:

  • Download your free CISEC training manual and drawings by clicking on the link MANUAL.
  • Enter into the CISEC online training modules available through IECA at ehub.ieca.org by clicking on the link ONLINE.
  • Contact the IECA team with any difficulties in accessing training modules (Joanna – joanna@ieca.org or Jack – jack@ieca.org).

Unless advised differently, beginning at 11:00 a.m. (MDT) on May 15, CISEC, Inc. will conduct a “Fireside Chat” webinar to provide answers and/or discuss various topics of concern.  

Administering CISEC Certification Examinations

If you have been approved by CISEC, Inc. to sit for one of the CISEC certification examinations, CISEC will coordinate with you to find a proctor. This process requires you to complete and submit a proctor registration form to contactus@cisecinc.org. 

Additional information about proctoring your test can be found by clicking on PROCTOR.   

Once CISEC gets your proctor form, it will develop a contract with the proctor of your choice specifying a date and time for administration of your examination.

You have 24 months after completing the training modules to sit for the 3.5-hour CISEC Full examination. If you want to wait until CISEC once again hosts “In-Person” training programs, you can sit in the afternoon of Day 2 (see attached brochure), and CISEC will waive the proctor fee.  

Indiana Administrative Code Updates

Posted on by Dan Osborn

Opacity Monitoring for Portland Cement Plants Removed
The State of Indiana published the final rule removing the continuous opacity monitoring requirement for Portland cement plants. The rule became effective April 30, 2020. Here’s the link to the Legislative Services Agency document #18-364(F),

Contractor Prequalification
The INDOT Prequalification Division has begun implementation of revised contractor prequalification administrative rules as they pertain to prequalification application requirements. The revised Indiana administrative rule became effective April 29, 2020. INDOT’s prequalification director Chris Serak and engineer Jose Murillo worked with ICI staff and board during the year-long rule making (revision) process. The amendments to Indiana Administrative Code 105 IAC 11-2 effect the prequalification certificate duration, financial statements required at different capacity levels, and financial requirements for contractors seeking prequalification.

Certificates may be valid for up to 24 months instead of 12. Current work capacity thresholds for financial statements internally attested as correct, preparated and reviewed by an independent certified public accountant (CPA), and prepared and audited by an independent CPA have revised to $1 million, $1 – $2.5 million, and above $2.5 respectively.

Contractors should review the revised rule prior to renewing their prequalification applications and financial statements.

Please contact the INDOT Prequalification Division for questions and comments.

INDOT Prequalification Application – 2020 Guidance

Posted on by admin_ici

Construction Partners,

I hope this finds you and your families healthy and safe. These are unprecedented times and the Prequalification Division will be as flexible as possible with regard to the submission of Statements of Experience and Financial Condition during the 2020 busy season. We will accept electronic signatures and can make other accommodations to serve those working remotely.

Certificates of Qualification are also included in the Governor’s 60-day extension of state licenses, announced yesterday. If you need such an extension, please submit a request in writing. Such requests should be emailed as an attachment to the following recipients: Aggie Wagoner, Jose Murillo, and Chris Serak. Even if you are unable to make a request in writing due to COVID-19, we will not allow your certificate to expire.

Please note that we are still accepting applications and processing them as normal while virus-related measures are in affect. We encourage those firms that are able to complete their Statements before their current expiration to do so, rather than relying on the 60-day extension. The process for completing and submitting the Contractor’s Statement of Experience and Financial Condition will be the same this busy season as it was in 2019. The email and attachments Jose sent last year, containing specific directions regarding this process, can be found below. Please compile your submission into a single PDF if practicable. Please be aware that you no longer need to submit your safety manual.  

While COVID-19 related restrictions are in place, the Prequalification Division will be working 100% remotely. As such, we will be sending out certificates of qualification by email, to the address listed on the first page of the company’s Statement. Original certificates of qualification will not be mailed during this time.

2020 Bidding Capacity Rule Changes

The Prequalification Division’s new rules regarding bidding capacity are as follows:

  1. Firms who provide self-certified financial statements will be eligible for bidding capacity up to $1,000,000
  2. Firms who provide review financial statements will be eligible for bidding capacity up to $2,500,000
  3. Firms who provide a full CPA audit will be eligible for bidding capacity over $2,500,000

If you have any questions about the new financial rules, please contact me by phone or email. Please note that we will be phasing in the award of higher bidding capacities based on the performance history and financial condition of each applicant firm.  

DOL Links Related to COVID-19 Leave

Please also be aware of the following DOL links, containing the notices that must be posted by all employers with regard to expanded Covid19 leave.  The last link is FAQs in regards to employer’s responsibilities for posting.  

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/posters/FFCRA_Poster_WH1422_Non-Federal.pdf
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/posters/FFCRA_Poster_WH1422_Federal.pdf
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-poster-questions

Thank you and stay safe.

Chris

Christopher B. Serak,
Prequalification Director
Ethics Officer
Prequalification Committee (Chairman)
Selection Review Committee (Member)
Indiana Department of Transportation
Office: (317) 234-2115
Cell: (317) 440-9868
Email: chserak@indot.in.gov

INDOT and Indiana Transportation Team Ready to Go

Posted on by admin_ici

INDOT and Indiana Transportation Ready to Go
INDOT appreciates the trying times that we are all going through together. INDOT wants to ensure our partners that we are ready to go for the 2020 construction season. INDOT understands the current environment and the challenges that is presents. We are committed to working through this with our industry partners and to look for opportunities to partner together. The following is a listing of the initiatives that INDOT will be implementing immediately.

Safety
INDOT is abiding by all of the guidance provided by the Department of Health for social distancing and good hygiene. INDOT is utilizing virtual means of communication as much as possible. As always Safety of our employees, our partners, and the traveling public is first and foremost on our agenda.

Extended Work Hours
Governor Eric Holcomb’s Stay at Home order has the effect of about a 30% reduction in overall traffic. INDOT is willing to discuss options to accelerate projects through this time period by extending hours for restrictions on Interstate Highway Congestion Waivers. INDOT has reduced the review time for this by utilizing the existing traffic data and applying the 30% reduction factor to open additional time to work. INDOT is continually monitoring this situation and is available to discuss these opportunities on a contract or corridor basis. Guidance has been sent out to decision-makers to move on these requests quickly. Should traffic volumes begin to increase back to normal conditions, then INDOT would give contractors a 7-day notice to return to previous restriction time frames.

Construction
INDOT is ready to go and work effectively and efficiently with our contractors.

Testing
INDOT has also worked on efficiencies for our Testing processes to expedite approvals. INDOT is pursuing all options to expedite startup procedures for the season including but not limited to extending certification timeframes. INDOT will be postponing audits and plant inspections. Our qualified testers will have their certifications extended to May 1, 2020 to be ready to go now. 

E-Ticketing
INDOT is willing to work with industry for a more widespread use of e-ticketing. INDOT already has contractors utilizing this tool.

Supply-Chain Issues
INDOT is keenly aware that supply chains are being interrupted and will work with industry to help resolve if we can. Industry does not need to send INDOT a letter citing potential issues but only those that are currently impacting the contract. Please let INDOT construction personnel know as soon as you are aware of such issues so that we can track them together. There is not a need to explore what-ifs at this time.

Partnering and Indiana Transportation Team
Our joint membership in The Indiana Transportation Team gives us the ability to persevere through these challenges and turn them into opportunities to advance the cause. Thanks in advance to all for their efforts.

Roland L. Fegan, Jr., P.E.
Deputy Commissioner, Construction
Indiana Government Center North
100 N. Senate Ave., Room N758
Indianapolis, IN 46204
www.indot.in.gov
Office: (317) 234-8384
Cell: (317) 697-7298
Email: rfegan@indot.in.gov

Prequal Included in License Extension

Posted on by admin_ici
Source: Christopher B. Serak, Prequalification Director, Indiana Department of Transportation, (317) 234-2115

Due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prequalification Division will be as flexible as possible to allow contractors to continue to submit Statements of Experience and Financial Condition while such measures are in place. This includes accepting electronic signatures.

Certificates of Qualification are also included in the Governor’s 60-day extension of state licenses, announced earlier this week. If you need such an extension, please send a written request to the Prequalification Division. Such requests should be emailed as an attachment to the following recipients: Aggie Wagoner, Jose Murillo, and Chris Serak. Even if you are unable to make a request in writing due to COVID-19, we will not allow your certificate to expire.

Please note that the Prequalification Division is still accepting applications and processing them as normal while virus-related measures are in affect. The Prequalification Division encourages those firms that are able to complete their Statements before their current expiration to do so, rather than relying on the 60-day extension.

The process for completing and submitting the Contractor’s Statement of Experience and Financial Condition will be the same this busy season as it was in 2019. The Prequalification Division asks that you compile your submission into a single PDF if practicable. INDOT has eliminated the requirement that you submit your safety manual with your Statement.