Raba Kistner Infrastructure, Inc. (RKI) is a pioneer in developing and implementing Quality Management Programs (QMP) for Design-Build and P3 transportation projects, focusing on:
- Protection of Owner’s Interests
- Assurance of Developer’s Compliance
- Enhancement of the Developer’s Processes
Quality Management Programs. RKI has written project-specific Quality Management Plans for transportation projects of all sizes, totaling over $5 billion in installed costs. We have been recognized as a leader in working with Departments of Transportation (DOTs) to develop innovative Quality Management Programs, and have had our plans accepted as the model Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) for state-wide implementation on Design-Build projects, with and without Maintenance Agreements.
Providing these services efficiently and effectively is a Raba Kistner Infrastructure hallmark. We have successfully developed and executed Quality Management Programs for projects for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority (Alamo RMA) and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA).
Quality Management Services include:
- ELVIS (Electronic Laboratory Verification Information System) – An award-winning, web-based construction management tool developed and customized by RKI for each project to meet specific needs and to support our Quality Management Services. Some of the typical ELVIS modules include: review and comment logs for submittals, seamless workflow of construction inspection and material testing reports, risk profiling and monitoring of construction inspection and testing, testing frequency compliance monitoring and reporting, automated workflow and disposition of construction and/or design NCRs, state and federally compliant statistical analysis processes, and management of independent assurance compliance of technicians and laboratories.
- Project Quality Management Programs, consisting of five main components:
- Project Quality Control (QC) – Performed for the Design-Builder and consisting of process control for witnessing, inspecting, checking and testing, to determine conformity with contract requirements.
- Project Quality Acceptance (QA) Performed for the Owner, Design-Builder or Concessionaire, as outlined in the project contract for the developing, documenting, and implementing policies and procedures, as well as defining roles and responsibilities in order to achieve and verify quality in accordance with specified requirements. These functions can consist of the following:
- Establishment and management of a project-specific design and/or construction QAP, defining the processes to be followed to achieve contract compliance
- Establishment and execution of a project audit plan to ensure compliance with the QAP and contract requirements
- Performance of quality assurance review on Developer’s design documents
- Performance of acceptance inspections of the construction processes
- Performance of environmental assurance inspections to ensure the Developer’s compliance with conditions and requirements of environmental permits
- Owner Verification Testing (OVT) - Performed for the Owner, Design-Builder or Concessionaire, as outlined in the project contract, to statistically validate the testing and verify the inspection of the QA function for the purposes of verifying that applicable quality standards are properly implemented and quality results obtained, to meet the state and federal requirements, allowing the Design Builders’ QA results to be used in the owner’s Acceptance Decision. These functions can consist of the following:
- Performance of contractually defined oversight inspections
- Owner Verification sampling and testing
- Statistical analysis and validation of QA and OV tests
- Establishment and execution of an audit plan to verify Developer and QA firm’s compliance with the project specific construction quality assurance plan
- Preparation of and submission of State and FHWA required reporting
- Independent Assurance (IA) – This service is usually performed for the Owner to ensure that a documented review on all testers and observers working on the project is performed on a yearly basis. The review is an independent check of all testers and each type of test they run on the project, in order to validate proper sampling and testing procedures are being followed, and that equipment is calibrated. IA services generally consist of the following:
- Evaluating and qualifying laboratories, equipment, sampling and testing personnel based on established test procedures
- Oversight of laboratories to ensure maintenance of AASHTO and State certifications, where applicable
- Preparation of annual IA reports to State DOT and FHWA on behalf of the Owner
- Independent Engineer (IE) – These services are performed for Public Private Partnership (P3) contracts. Audit functions are performed for and reported to both the Owner and Concessionaire during the Design, Construction, and Operations and Maintenance portions of the Concession contract, to assure that performance standards are met for the term of the maintenance agreement. These services often include:
- Development of a Design QAP documenting IE/Owner’s design review and quality oversight procedures and obtain federal and state approval
- Development of Construction QAP documenting IE/Owner’s Oversight Inspection and testing plans and obtain State DOT/FHWA approval
- Review and comment on Facility Management Plans developed by the Developer
- Perform Owner Verification (OV) testing based on the results of project specific risk analyses
- Statistical Validation of Developer’s acceptance tests and OV tests
- Performance of field monitoring of construction inspection
- Independent progress assessment of Developer schedule and report to Owner
- Monitor and audit Developer for compliance against all contract, design and construction requirements
- Monitor and audit Developer for compliance of maintenance agreement performance standards
- Implement a Records Management process and project document control system
Raba Kistner Infrastructure has provided each of these components and others in compliance with ISO 9001 Quality Management System requirements. We have assisted clients with the development and implementation of Quality Management Programs consistent with contractual and ISO 9001 requirements.