Pre-letting Resources
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION
Manuals, Guides and Policies
Instructional Memorandums to Local Public Agencies (I.M.s) and the Federal-Aid Project Development Guide
These documents provide guidance and information for local public agency and consultant staff regarding a wide range of topics, including processes and procedures for local public agency federal-aid transportation projects.
Policy for Accommodating Utilities on the County and City Non-Primary Federal-Aid Road System
Policies and procedures for utility accommodation and relocation as part of a federally funded local public agency improvement project.
Right of Way Information Packet (LPA Manual)
This manual provides extensive guidance to local public agencies to help them comply with Federal and State requirements when acquiring property rights, including the Uniform Act. For additional assistance, please contact one of the Local Public Agency Coordinators in the Right of Way Bureau.
Railroad Coordination and Certification Requirements
This video Railroad Coordination and Certification Requirements is part of the Federal-aid Essentials for Local Public Agencies Web site and resource library. We recommend this video be watched by all consultants and local government agencies that will be involved with a federal-aid project that is located near a railroad. Please refer to I.M. 3.670 “Work on Railroad Right-of-Way”, I.M. 3.680 “Federal-aid Projects Involving Railroads”, and the Rail Bureau for additional information.
Nationwide Permitting Guidance
This PDF is a guide for selecting a nationwide permit though the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE). Each permit type has correlating examples and situations which may be beneficial to project development. Please note this is an unofficial guidance and ACOE has the final say on which type of nationwide permit is appropriate for each project situation.
Divisions – Lump Sum Item Guidance
Standard Plans, Details and Specifications
Bid Item Spreadsheet - April 2021
With the impending migration of the Bid Item Application, this file may be used by LPAs to establish bid items for their projects.
County Bridge Standards
Standard bridge plans designed for use by local agencies.
Culvert Standards
Standard culvert designs for use by the Iowa DOT and local agencies.
Electronic Reference Library
The Iowa DOT Electronic Reference Library contains links to several items, including Standard Specifications, Supplemental Specifications, Materials I.M.s, Standard Road Plans, Standard Culvert Plans, Standard Bridge Plans, Construction Manual, Flaggers Handbook and SUDAS Standard Specifications.
Iowa DOT Design Manual
This manual contains information on road design for the primary highway system, and is published by the Methods Section in the Design Bureau.
Iowa DOT Forms
The new public-facing Iowa DOT forms portal can be found here: https://iowadot.seamlessdocs.com/sc/. In the new portal, there are folders where the forms can be found. Most of the forms that LPAs use can be found in the Civil Rights, Construction & Materials, or the Local Government portals. The forms are listed by their form number, as well as the title of the form. There is also a search feature in the upper right corner.
Some of the forms used during construction will be found on Construction and Materials webpage: https://iowadot.gov/construction_materials/Inspection-tool
Additional DOT forms
- The Hydraulic Review form (517002) (*last updated January 2020) can be found in a Word fillable format here:
Form 517002
- The Statement of DBE Commitments For Locally-Procured Federal Contracts form (517012) (*last updated August 2022) can be found in a PDF fillable format here: Form 517012 (zip)
To download a ZIP file, click the form link; this will prompt your browser to ask if you want to open or save the file. Select Save.
After the download to your computer is complete, navigate to the ZIP file on your computer and click "Extract" in the pop-up menu.
To view or fill out this PDF, you must open the PDF file using Adobe Reader, DO NOT open it in your web browser.
- The Accessibility Exceptions Certification (Form 517118) (*last updated December 2015) can be found in a PDF fillable format here: Form 517118 (zip)
To download a ZIP file, click the form link; this will prompt your browser to ask if you want to open or save the file. Select Save.
After the download to your computer is complete, navigate to the ZIP file on your computer and click "Extract" in the pop-up menu.
To view or fill out this PDF, you must open the PDF file using Adobe Reader, DO NOT open it in your web browser.
- The Project Development Certification Form (730002) (*last updated December 2023) can be found in a Word fillable format here: Form 730002
- An LPA Consultant Evaluation Form is required when Federal-aid is utilized on consultant contracts, such as for Preliminary Engineering or Construction Engineering. Projects where only construction is funded with Federal-aid do not require a consultant evaluation. LPA Consultant Evaluation Form
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Targeted Small Business Information
Directory of Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE)
A directory of DBE contractors, suppliers and consultants certified by the Iowa DOT. This publication is a helpful resource for determining a DBE goal or obtaining DBE participation in a federal-aid contract.
List of Certified Targeted Small Businesses
This State of Iowa list is helpful for locating targeted small businesses (TSB) consultant or contracting firms as part of the TSB requirements for state-assisted contracts.
Targeted Small Business (TSB) Contract Provision (PDF) or (WORD)
This contract provision shall be included by the local public agency (LPA) in the bid and contract documents for all state-assisted, non-federal-aid contracts let by the LPA. These provisions are required by state law and the terms of the state-assisted funding agreement between a LPA and the Iowa DOT. This TSB contract provision also includes a copy of the Targeted Small Business (TSB) Pre-Bid Contact Information form, Form 730007, which shall be completed by the bidders on all state-assisted contracts let by the LPA.