Manuals, Guides & 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 & Specifications
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 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 in Construction & Materials.
Additional DOT Forms
- The Concept Statement form (517001) (*last updated June 2024) can be found in a Word fillable format: Concept Statement for Local Public Agency Federal-Aid Projects
- The Hydraulic Review form (517002) (*last updated January 2020) can be found in a Word fillable format: 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: Form 517012 (zip)
- The Accessibility Exceptions Certification (Form 517118) (*last updated December 2015) can be found in a PDF fillable format: Form 517118 (zip)
- Sidewalk Compliance Table - 113-10A
- The Project Development Certification Form (730002) (*last updated December 2024) can be found in a Word fillable format: Form 730002
- Distribution Center Cash Sale Items Order Form/Instruction Sheet
- Road Design Details. Standard details, notes and tabulations.
- Standard Road Plans. Standard plans for highway and bridge projects.
- Usage of Iowa DOT Standard Guardrail. A list of standard road plans that are acceptable for use under different traffic volumes and/or speed zones.
- 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 & 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.