Organization
The Office of the Division Engineer consists of the Division Engineer, the Administrative
Officer, the Federal Lands Highway (FLH) Graphics & Marketing Specialist, the Division
Quality Coordinator and Legal Counsel.
The Division Engineer exercises executive leadership over the activities within
the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD) to effectively promote, implement
and administer the total program within the multi-state geographical area of the
division office. This includes providing leadership for planning, research, engineering
and construction supervision of projects on Federal and Tribal lands in the 31 Eastern
States, District of Columbia, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
The Management and Program Analyst, manages and coordinates organizational requirements for the Office of the Division Engineer, the Director of Program Administration and Director of Project Delivery. The Management and Program Analyst serves as the FOIA Officer and Diversity Coordinator.
The FLH Graphics & Marketing Specialist assists in the planning, research and composition
of informational material providing support to FLH Headquarters, Central Federal
Lands (Lakewood, CO), and Western Federal Lands (Vancouver, WA) Division Offices
in the area of FLH marketing. The Graphics and Marketing Specialist also assists
on media development and printing contracts.
The Division Quality Coordinator is primarily responsible for supporting the implementation
of quality principles and practices for engineering processes associated with the
planning, design and construction of Federal Lands Highways within Eastern. This
position also works in close coordination with the other Division Quality Coordinators
and the Headquarters Quality Coordinator on quality management related issues and
their application to engineering delivery systems.
The Legal Counsel assigned to Eastern Federal Lands has the responsibility for providing
advice on the existence or interpretation of laws and regulations. Legal Counsel
also assists in the drafting or review of proposed specifications when requested;
advises Procurement & Construction on the review of the responsiveness and responsibility
of bids; reviews proposed procurement actions for legal concurrence when required
by Federal Acquisition Regulations or internal FHWA guidance; defends the Division
when a Bid Protest is filed with the Comptroller General (or other authority); assists
in the analysis of disputes and claims from the viewpoint of our ability to defend
before the Board or in Court; defends the Division when appeals of construction
claim decisions are brought to the Board of Contract Appeals or to the Court of
Federal Claims. The Division Legal Counsel is also available to advise on
other applicable laws and regulations including environmental reviews, tort claims,
FOIA and personnel matters, etc.
The Office of Project Delivery is responsible for the overall project management,
coordination and delivery of the Division’s program of highway and bridge projects
from the initial scoping and preliminary design through the completion of construction.
The Office of Project Delivery provides FLH-wide leadership in various technical
areas including bridge design, bridge inspection, and road inventory. The Office
of Project Delivery is broken down into four main branches; Highway Design, Technical
Services, Bridge Design and Construction. The Office of Project Delivery is also
responsible for the management and oversight of special projects and the Division’s
Project Management System.
Special Projects Manager is responsible for the project management of highly political
and unique special projects administered by the EFLHD.
The Project Management System Team is responsible for the overall coordination and
management of the project management and scheduling system and software used by
the EFLHD to control and monitor project progress. The system includes project scheduling,
resource management, budgeting and financial reconciliation.
The Office of Program Administration is responsible for providing stewardship and
oversight of the Federal Lands Highway Program (FLHP) and the funds that are entrusted
to FLH. It encompasses all the functions of the Planning and Programming Branch
as well as those under the Administration Branch. Additionally reporting to the
Director are the functions of Asset Management, Management Information Systems and
Quality Coordination including responsibility for stewardship and oversight.
The Program Administration Quality Coordinator serves as the stewardship, oversight,
and quality coordinator for the Office of Program Administration. Monitors
and implements recommendations, and coordinates annual programs and evaluations
summarizing internal quality reviews and improvements. Develops
programs for and performs risk assessments, operational program evaluations, and
reviews.
The Management Information System Coordinator is responsible for analyzing and evaluating
systems, programs, and Information Technology (IT) trends to ensure FLH and EFLHD
management information systems are state-of-the-art, efficient, and cost effective.
The Asset Management Senior Technical Specialist serves as the technical advisor
to the Divisions in promoting, guiding, assisting with implementation, and evaluating
the use of Transportation Asset Management (TAM) as a system to manage and optimize
the preservation of the transportation infrastructures and advancing state-of-the-art
technology, practices, procedures, and programs. This position serves as the technical
advisor to FLH leadership on assessing policy and program development issues working
closely with Federal-aid headquarters, resource Centers and Divisions, Industry,
and Federal Land Management Agencies to promote asset management principles and
expertise.
The Project Delivery Quality Coordinator plans and implements the Project Delivery
Quality Assurance Program ensuring a continued high standard of quality in the delivery
of project plans, specifications, and estimates while maintaining uniformity of
policy and procedures for Federal Lands Highway Program. The Project Delivery
Quality Coordinator is also involved in the development of procedures/process to
enhance quality, consistency, and operational efficiency while assuring alignment
with the FLH Business Plan and the FHWA Strategic Plan.
The Engineering Software Support (ESS) section provides computer support for engineering
information systems such as CADD, Geographic Information System (GIS), interactive
highway design, design visualization, and engineering cost estimating. The
section ensures the development of processes and procedures for the manipulation
and analysis of GIS data for programming, planning and project development purposes.
Analyzes specific highway applications on the computer and related software covering
a wide range of problems in the field of highway engineering. Prepares design visualizations
(computer models and graphics of highway and bridge designs) to assist with project
delivery. The ESS section provides installation, testing, training, and support
of various computer software programs: Engineer’s Estimate System (EES), CADD, GEOPAK,
and Design Visualization software. Ensures that the support activities pertaining
computer applications related to project delivery and highway design information
systems meet management goals.
The Road Inventory Program (RIP) Section manages the nationwide Road Inventory Program
for the National Park Service and the Road Inventory Program for the Forest Service
in the Eastern United States. With the use of state-of-the-art equipment and
engineering expertise, this program documents the condition of pavements, geometrics,
and drainages of existing park roads and parkways. The data collected includes
a video log that can be used by the appropriate Federal Lands Management Agency
and Federal Highway Administration managers to define and support decisions for
improvement projects. This information will be integrated within a Geographic
Information System (GIS).
The Geotechnical section provides technical assistance to the Bridge Design, Highway
Design and Construction Branches for bridge foundations and retaining walls, landslide
repairs, and cut-and-fill slopes. Geotechnical field investigations are conducted
using power drill rigs, subsurface sampling equipment, geotechnical instrumentation,
on-site geophysical and testing equipment, and rock coring equipment. The Geotechnical
Section jointly conducts subsurface investigations with the Eastern Federal Lands
Highway Subsurface Exploration Team.
The Safety section is the Division’s technical resource for planners, highway and
bridge design engineers, and construction project engineers on a wide variety of
safety problems commonly encountered in highway planning, design, and construction.
Technical assistance is provided related to ensuring safety appurtenances and roadside
barriers comply with NCHRP Report 350, as well as the appropriate use and layout
of traffic control devices meeting the standards in the MUTCD. The Safety Section
also performs safety studies for Federal Land Management Agencies (FLMA’s), including
investigating high crash locations; administers crash test contracts; and assists
FLMA’s in the implementation and maintenance of safety management systems.
The Hydraulics and Hydrology section provides technical assistance to highway and
bridge design engineers on a wide variety of drainage problems commonly encountered
in highway planning, design, and construction. Engineers perform hydrologic studies
and hydraulic analyses of large culverts, channels, storm sewer systems, bridge
waterway openings, and also design storm water management devices, as well as manage
the collection of water quality data.
The EFL Traffic Engineering function of this section provides technical assistance
to transportation planning and highway design staff pertaining to planning, geometric
design, and traffic operations. Work primarily entails review and certification
of highway design PS&E development and specific traffic engineering work performed
by A/E for highway design development. Engineers may also serve as COTR on system-level
traffic monitoring/traffic data collection task orders.
The FLH Traffic Operations function of this section serves as the FLH-wide technical specialist in all Traffic Operations Engineering subject areas including, but not limited to Operational Analysis, Traffic Engineering Studies and Design, Traffic Safety, Road-User Characteristics, and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Work can entail promoting and advancing new initiatives and program support, technical assistance to Planning, Safety, and Highway Design subject experts and their respective teams, and local office support for project development as well as technical support to the Central and Western Federal Lands Offices.
The FLH Traffic Operations function of this section serves as the FLH-wide technical specialist in all Traffic Operations Engineering subject areas including, but not limited to Operational Analysis, Traffic Engineering Studies and Design, Traffic Safety, Road-User Characteristics, and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Work can entail promoting and advancing new initiatives and program support, technical assistance to Planning, Safety, and Highway Design subject experts and their respective teams, and local office support for project development as well as technical support to the Central and Western Federal Lands Offices.
The Pavements Section provides technical assistance to highway design and construction
for new and rehabilitation pavement projects. Pavement field investigation techniques
include structural capacity and frictional resistance of pavements by conducting
falling weight deflectometer and locked-wheel skid resistance testing. The Pavements
Section jointly conducts subsurface investigations with the Eastern Federal Lands
Subsurface Exploration Team using power drilling equipment and geophysical testing
equipment.
The Pavements Section also operates and maintains the Pavement Management System for the National Park Service. In doing so, the Section provides technical assistance to the Asset Management and Planning Sections as well as the National Park Service for the development of future projects and establishing budgetary needs related to pavements.
The Pavements Section also operates and maintains the Pavement Management System for the National Park Service. In doing so, the Section provides technical assistance to the Asset Management and Planning Sections as well as the National Park Service for the development of future projects and establishing budgetary needs related to pavements.
The Project Support section supplies expertise related to survey and mapping, right-of-way
utility activities, and project traffic counting. This section performs surveys;
prepares topographic maps using modern electronic equipment; coordinates right-of-way
acquisition and utility relocations with partner agencies and utility companies,
and determines project traffic volumes.
This section manages and implements the technology development for the Division.
New and emerging transportation-related technology is identified and evaluated.
Innovative approaches within the Division's design and construction programs require
a close liaison with research and development agencies.
The EFLHD Highway Design Branch provides the overall project coordination, project
management, and highway design of roadway and bridge projects from initial scoping
and preliminary design through the completion of final contract plans, specifications,
and estimates (PS&E). The Highway Design staff interacts with other EFLHD program,
technical and construction staff, and with our Federal, State and local agency partners
to complete quality and context sensitive design projects within scope, schedule
and budget. Because of the unique historical, cultural, environmental and aesthetic
values of each of our partners, context sensitive solutions are part of our design
philosophy. The work combines our engineering expertise with the values of our partners
to provide safe, efficient, and aesthetic design solutions. Highway Design completes
its work through four functional areas; Highway Design Teams, PS&E Review Team,
Design CADD Coordination, and Architectural and Engineering (A/E) Coordination.
Highway Design offers the opportunity for project leadership, innovation, technical expertise, and the use of new highway technology in a variety of climatic environments and unique terrain from the most complex, high volume urban parkway design to the simple resurfacing of a low-volume rural road.
Highway Design offers the opportunity for project leadership, innovation, technical expertise, and the use of new highway technology in a variety of climatic environments and unique terrain from the most complex, high volume urban parkway design to the simple resurfacing of a low-volume rural road.
Highway Design Teams design the horizontal and vertical roadway alignments, intersections,
earthwork, drainage, permanent and temporary traffic control, permanent and temporary
erosion control, and safety appurtenances. The Teams also coordinate and prepare
right-of-way and utility plans, estimate contract time and cost, write technical
specifications, and prepare and assemble the final PS&E package for bid solicitation.
Each Highway Design team is led by a Project Manager responsible for all project
management and coordination. Highway Design incorporates and contributes to the
technical recommendations and products of our Technical Services and Bridge Design
staffs to complete the PS&E. Highway Design work is completed through both in-house
design and A/E consultant resources. Highway Design also includes contract administration
and oversight of consultant-designed plans.
The PS&E Review Team reviews the final design PS&E for quality, coordinates final
plan reviews with our Federal and State partners and regulatory agencies, and assembles
the final contract solicitation package. Once the project is advertised for bids,
this Team assists the Acquisitions Team with answering bidder questions, assembling
technical amendments, and the technical review and evaluation of bids.
The Design CADD Coordinator provides technical expertise to the Highway Design Branch
for the use of Microstation and Geopak engineering software. The Design CADD Coordinator
implements software improvements; trains designers in new applications; and researches
and develops enhancements and comprehensive solutions to highway design problems.
The A/E Coordinator is responsible for assisting Project Managers and Team Leaders
with the facilitation, coordination, selection, procurement, contract administration
and oversight of A/E design consultant services. The A/E Coordinator also manages
the Value Engineering Program for the Division.
The Construction Engineering Branch administers construction contracts to ensure
conformance to the technical, environmental, and aesthetic requirements of the contract
plans and specifications.
The Construction Engineering Branch is also responsible for quality assurance and
coordination and materials engineering support. Quality assurance includes inspection,
submittal review and approval, and materials verification and acceptance testing.
Construction Operations project engineers and technicians work on-site at project
locations to monitor construction activities and progress. They also coordinate
engineering responsibilities with partner agencies and other Federal, State and
local jurisdictions. Construction engineering personnel document contractors’ work
for payment, process contractor claims, oversee consultant inspectors and ensure
that the specifications and other contract requirements are administered uniformly.
The Construction Support Staff process contractor invoices for payment on construction
contracts, develop and maintain budgets for construction engineering and construction
contracts, provide computer technical support, maintain Construction Branch databases,
administer construction inspection contracts, and process contract claims.
The Materials section is responsible for the verification and acceptance testing
of all Construction materials (i.e. Geotextiles, concrete, asphalt, base stone,
mortars, wood, paint systems, etc.) as well as preliminary design testing. These
activities are performed at the Division’s Materials Laboratory located in Sevierville,
Tennessee. As part of materials engineering support, material support personnel
review contract documents, develop special contract requirements and troubleshoot
materials related problems during construction.
The FLH Bridge Office (FLHBO) supports the administration of the nationwide FLH
Program by providing design, construction support, bridge inspection, and bridge
management services for bridges located on federally owned lands in all 50 states,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FLH Bridge Engineer is directly responsible
for the management of the FLHBO, which is comprised of three teams: two Bridge Design
Teams, with staff located in Sterling, VA and Lakewood, CO and the Bridge Inspection
and Management Program Teams, located in Sterling, VA.
The Bridge Design Team is responsible for the FLH Bridge Design Program, which includes
direct or oversight of the development of plans, specifications, and cost estimates
for the construction or rehabilitation of bridges and other major highway structures,
such as retaining walls, tunnels, and large engineered culverts, on federally owned
lands. The team also provides training, technical assistance and leadership in support
of other federal agencies, deploys technology in support of the FHWA Structures
Strategic Plan, directly participates in AASHTO specification development as the
FHWA Ex-officio member to several AASHTO Technical Committees, and develops innovative
solutions to funding and related issues for bridge projects.
The Bridge Inspection Team is responsible for the FLH Bridge Inspection Program,
which includes direct or oversight of performance of bridge safety inspection and
structural rating of approximately 2,100 structures owned by the National Park Service
(NPS) as well as other federal agencies, in accordance with the National Bridge
Inspection Standards. The team provides technical leadership and support to the
FHWA and partners through technology advancement, bridge inspection technical assistance,
and bridge inspection program policy and guidance.
The Bridge Management Team is responsible for the management of the NPS's structures
inventory and evaluation of data contained therein thus providing the Federal Lands
Highway and NPS planners with an annual list of structure rehabilitation and repair
priorities. The team provides technical leadership and support to the FHWA and partners
through technology advancement, data management, system preservation technology
advancement, and bridge management program policy and guidance.
The Planning and Programming Branch provides the planning, programming, and coordination
services for all projects undertaken by the EFLHD. These efforts are essential for
the completion of the highway projects undertaken by the Division. Specifically,
the Branch develops the multi-year program of projects for the Division, creating
the roadmap of projects in which all Division personnel will be working on for the
next several years. The multi-year program of projects must be extensively coordinated
with the Federal Land Management Agencies (FLMA), and must take safety, pavement
management, bridge management, congestion management, and public concerns into account,
as well as the FLMA priorities and concerns.
In addition, the Branch must get the needed funding into the Division at several stages for each highway project (scoping, design, advertisement, award, construction, modifications, etc.), which requires an extreme amount of coordination with each of the other Branches within the Division on when specific types of funding will be needed. This coordination is essential in making sure that the funding is received timely and that the project schedules are met.
The Branch is also responsible for all contracting and acquisitions within the Division, from the large-scale construction projects to the small purchases (simplified acquisitions). Typically, 30 to 45 construction projects are awarded each fiscal year, and about 1,000 small purchases are processed, along with the many Architect/Engineer task orders, RIP/BIP contracts, IT procurements, and other miscellaneous acquisitions.
In addition, the Branch is responsible for the coordination and completion of all National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) documents. The NEPA documents are required in the planning and early design stages for all roadway projects, to ensure that both the natural and human environment is studied for potential impacts, with impacts avoided wherever possible and/or properly mitigated. A final decision document is required for all NEPA actions, outlining the environmental project requirements, prior to final design proceeding.
In addition, the Branch must get the needed funding into the Division at several stages for each highway project (scoping, design, advertisement, award, construction, modifications, etc.), which requires an extreme amount of coordination with each of the other Branches within the Division on when specific types of funding will be needed. This coordination is essential in making sure that the funding is received timely and that the project schedules are met.
The Branch is also responsible for all contracting and acquisitions within the Division, from the large-scale construction projects to the small purchases (simplified acquisitions). Typically, 30 to 45 construction projects are awarded each fiscal year, and about 1,000 small purchases are processed, along with the many Architect/Engineer task orders, RIP/BIP contracts, IT procurements, and other miscellaneous acquisitions.
In addition, the Branch is responsible for the coordination and completion of all National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) documents. The NEPA documents are required in the planning and early design stages for all roadway projects, to ensure that both the natural and human environment is studied for potential impacts, with impacts avoided wherever possible and/or properly mitigated. A final decision document is required for all NEPA actions, outlining the environmental project requirements, prior to final design proceeding.
The Programs Section is responsible for administering the Federal Lands Highway
Program (FLHP) funding, in addition to all the other miscellaneous funding that
comes into the Division. The FLHP funding is made up of Park Roads and Parkways
funding, Refuge Roads funding, Forest Highway funding, and Public Lands Highway
Discretionary funding. In addition to the FLHP funding, the Programs Section administers
much of the Federal-aid funding for the District of Columbia Department of Transportation
and the Virgin Islands Government, Defense Access Road funding for the Department
of the Army, bridge inspection and skid testing funding for various agencies, plus
other miscellaneous funding. An extreme amount of coordination is required with
the other Branches within the Division in order to get the needed funding amount
at the needed time frames in order to help keep the projects on schedule. The Programs
staff recommends approval and authorization of funds for design, construction advertisements
and awards, and special studies.
The Programs Section works closely with the Planning Section to develop the multi-year program of projects. Annual programming meetings are held with each of the partner agencies’ regional offices, to discuss project priorities and fiscal year funding availabilities; with pavement management systems, bridge management systems, safety concerns, and political concerns taken into account. In addition, annual or biannual programming meetings are held with each of the State DOT’s for the Forest Highway program.
The Programs Section is also responsible for administering the Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) funding for the eastern half of the United States. Catastrophic disasters in which Federally-owned roads and bridges are damaged are generally eligible for ERFO reimbursement. The ERFO Disaster Assistance Manual is available on EFLHD’s external website, and details the eligibility requirements, documentation requirements, approvals process, and close-out procedures.
In addition, the Programs Section is responsible for formatting, writing, coordinating, and distributing all Memoranda of Agreement and other specific project agreements. Agreements are required whenever the EFLHD is the provider (servicing) agency, or the receiver agency, and a transfer of funds will need to take place.
The Programs Section works closely with the Planning Section to develop the multi-year program of projects. Annual programming meetings are held with each of the partner agencies’ regional offices, to discuss project priorities and fiscal year funding availabilities; with pavement management systems, bridge management systems, safety concerns, and political concerns taken into account. In addition, annual or biannual programming meetings are held with each of the State DOT’s for the Forest Highway program.
The Programs Section is also responsible for administering the Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) funding for the eastern half of the United States. Catastrophic disasters in which Federally-owned roads and bridges are damaged are generally eligible for ERFO reimbursement. The ERFO Disaster Assistance Manual is available on EFLHD’s external website, and details the eligibility requirements, documentation requirements, approvals process, and close-out procedures.
In addition, the Programs Section is responsible for formatting, writing, coordinating, and distributing all Memoranda of Agreement and other specific project agreements. Agreements are required whenever the EFLHD is the provider (servicing) agency, or the receiver agency, and a transfer of funds will need to take place.
The Planning Section develops EFLHD’s 4-year Transportation Improvement Program
(TIP). The TIP is extensively coordinated with the partner agencies and other EFLHD
Branches, and takes safety, pavement management, bridge management, and congestion
management into account. The TIP accounts for all projects undertaken by EFLHD,
including projects for the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest
Service, Department of Defense, District Department of Transportation, Virgin Islands
Government, and other partner agencies. The TIP is updated annually and is published
on EFLHD’s external website, as well as being coordinated with each of the individual
State DOT TIP’s.
Several new initiatives are underway in the Planning Section, including the development of a long-range transportation plan with some of the partner agencies. The incorporation of long-range plans (10-20 years in the future) will greatly facilitate the development of the 4-year TIP, and will go a long way in helping to stabilize the program of projects. In addition, the Planning Section is developing methods of including public involvement into the planning process, a huge challenge considering that EFLHD works in about 25 States and with multiple partner agencies.
The Planning Section also conducts transportation studies and engineering studies for the FLMA’s. These comprehensive studies help develop priorities and associated costs for future needed transportation improvements.
Several new initiatives are underway in the Planning Section, including the development of a long-range transportation plan with some of the partner agencies. The incorporation of long-range plans (10-20 years in the future) will greatly facilitate the development of the 4-year TIP, and will go a long way in helping to stabilize the program of projects. In addition, the Planning Section is developing methods of including public involvement into the planning process, a huge challenge considering that EFLHD works in about 25 States and with multiple partner agencies.
The Planning Section also conducts transportation studies and engineering studies for the FLMA’s. These comprehensive studies help develop priorities and associated costs for future needed transportation improvements.
The Environmental Compliance Section is responsible for ensuring that all of the
Division’s construction projects adhere to the Federal and State environmental regulations.
NEPA documents are required in the planning and early design stages for all roadway
projects, to ensure that both the natural and human environment is studied for potential
impacts, with impacts avoided wherever possible and/or properly mitigated. The Environmental
Compliance Section completes the whole realm of NEPA documents, including Environmental
Impact Statements (EIS), Environmental Assessments (EA), and Categorical Exclusions
(CE). A final decision document is required for all NEPA actions, outlining the
environmental project requirements, prior to final design proceeding. Public hearings
and other public meetings are held and officiated by the Environmental Section in
order to inform the general public, special interest groups, and Governmental agencies
concerning the project requirements and potential environmental impacts, and to
allow the public to have input into the environmental decision making process.
After completion of the NEPA document and decision document, the Environmental Section is then responsible for obtaining all environmental permits prior to advertisement of the construction projects. This requires extensive coordination and document submissions to the required Federal, State, and local permitting agencies in order to obtain the permits and keep the project on schedule. The Environmental Compliance Section is also responsible for following up with the projects during construction to ensure that all environmental commitments have been met.
After completion of the NEPA document and decision document, the Environmental Section is then responsible for obtaining all environmental permits prior to advertisement of the construction projects. This requires extensive coordination and document submissions to the required Federal, State, and local permitting agencies in order to obtain the permits and keep the project on schedule. The Environmental Compliance Section is also responsible for following up with the projects during construction to ensure that all environmental commitments have been met.
The Procurement & Contracting Section is responsible for contracting out all project
services required for the entire Division. Typical services required are for roadway
and bridge advertisements and awards, Architect/Engineer task order designs, environmental
resource surveys, land surveys, geotechnical investigations, bridge inspection services,
road inventory services, and IT services, secretarial services, and small purchase
(simplified acquisitions). Typically, 30 to 45 construction projects are awarded
each fiscal year, and about 1,000 small purchases are processed, along with the
many Architect/Engineer task orders and other miscellaneous acquisitions.
Much interaction takes place between the Procurement & Contracting staff and the other EFLHD fiscal, technical, and construction staff to ensure timely acquisitions of the required services. Services are normally acquired by formal advertisement procedures (Invitation for Bids), requests for proposals, negotiated procedures, or standard GSA schedules.
The Division’s Contracting Officer (CO) heads the Procurement & Contracting Section, and helps to ensure that all contracting operations within the Division follow the applicable Federal and Agency acquisition regulations. The CO also helps to ensure that the other warranted Contracting Officers and the Division’s Contracting Officer Technical Representatives (COTR) maintain adequate training in order to successfully oversee their individual contracts.
Much interaction takes place between the Procurement & Contracting staff and the other EFLHD fiscal, technical, and construction staff to ensure timely acquisitions of the required services. Services are normally acquired by formal advertisement procedures (Invitation for Bids), requests for proposals, negotiated procedures, or standard GSA schedules.
The Division’s Contracting Officer (CO) heads the Procurement & Contracting Section, and helps to ensure that all contracting operations within the Division follow the applicable Federal and Agency acquisition regulations. The CO also helps to ensure that the other warranted Contracting Officers and the Division’s Contracting Officer Technical Representatives (COTR) maintain adequate training in order to successfully oversee their individual contracts.
The Branch of Administration consists of four teams responsible for providing administrative
support in the areas of information technology, human resources, finance, and administrative
services. In addition to the individual team responsibilities, Administration also
has responsibility for managing secretarial support, which includes a federal team
leader secretary, one federal secretary, and six contract secretaries.
Administration is responsible for financial oversight and ensuring that internal controls are in place to protect Federal funds and oversees the financial management process review annually in accordance with the Financial Integrity Review and Evaluation (FIRE) Program for the Office of Federal Lands Highway. This independent review includes evaluating the systems, controls, and procedures in place to protect the funds entrusted to Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD). The FIRE coordinator conducts risk assessments, develops strategic plans to address internal control processes and procedures, and coordinates the implementation of these plans. He/she will also act as coordinator between the branches for monthly project reconciliation.
Administration is responsible for financial oversight and ensuring that internal controls are in place to protect Federal funds and oversees the financial management process review annually in accordance with the Financial Integrity Review and Evaluation (FIRE) Program for the Office of Federal Lands Highway. This independent review includes evaluating the systems, controls, and procedures in place to protect the funds entrusted to Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD). The FIRE coordinator conducts risk assessments, develops strategic plans to address internal control processes and procedures, and coordinates the implementation of these plans. He/she will also act as coordinator between the branches for monthly project reconciliation.
The EFLHD Professional Development Team is responsible for a wide range of human
resources operational functions and programs; and professional development and training.
This includes partnering with management and other FHWA HR professionals to ensure
that FHWA can continue to meet its mission goals by aggressive recruiting, professional
development, retention, training, knowledge management and succession planning.
The team implements new programs and policies and provides advice and counsel to
managers and employees in the areas of…
Staffing & Recruitment Services: Facilitates the recruitment, selection and placement of employees; performs job analysis, workforce planning and analysis; and assists management in identifying, and retaining a high quality and diverse workforce that is capable of accomplishing the organization’s mission.
Classification/Position Management and Organizational Development: Facilitates the development of position descriptions and classification of general schedule position descriptions; and facilitates the design, clearance and approval of Division organizational changes.
Performance Management: Monitors effective performance management programs to plan, develop, rate and reward employee performance. Assures employee performance is linked with the agency business plan.
Awards and Recognition: Facilitates the FHWA/EFLHD employee incentive and recognition programs.
Personnel Security: Serves as the liaison team to the AAST in processing the appropriate paperwork for security investigations for federal and contract personnel.
Employee Relations: Facilitates a full range of employee relations matters. These responsibilities include disciplinary/adverse actions; performance management issues; reasonable accommodation issues; and administrative grievances and appeals. Employee Benefits: Provides advice and guidance to employees regarding retirement, insurance, health benefits and injury compensation. Coordinates benefit open season(s) and office of workman’s compensation claims with the Atlanta Administrative Services Team.
Career Development and Training: Coordinates the delivery of training and employee development programs, which support the objectives, and goals of the FHWA. Provides support in locating individual training needs through internal training programs and partnerships established with colleges and universities. Supports all activities involved with placement of employees in the FHWA Federal Career Intern Program and Professional Development Program. Manages the EFLHD Student Employment and Mentoring Programs.
WorkLife Balance: Provides guidance, develops policy, and provides reports on the EFLHD Flexible Work Schedules, Telecommuting, Employee Assistance Program, and Family Friendly Leave Flexibilities.
Staffing & Recruitment Services: Facilitates the recruitment, selection and placement of employees; performs job analysis, workforce planning and analysis; and assists management in identifying, and retaining a high quality and diverse workforce that is capable of accomplishing the organization’s mission.
Classification/Position Management and Organizational Development: Facilitates the development of position descriptions and classification of general schedule position descriptions; and facilitates the design, clearance and approval of Division organizational changes.
Performance Management: Monitors effective performance management programs to plan, develop, rate and reward employee performance. Assures employee performance is linked with the agency business plan.
Awards and Recognition: Facilitates the FHWA/EFLHD employee incentive and recognition programs.
Personnel Security: Serves as the liaison team to the AAST in processing the appropriate paperwork for security investigations for federal and contract personnel.
Employee Relations: Facilitates a full range of employee relations matters. These responsibilities include disciplinary/adverse actions; performance management issues; reasonable accommodation issues; and administrative grievances and appeals. Employee Benefits: Provides advice and guidance to employees regarding retirement, insurance, health benefits and injury compensation. Coordinates benefit open season(s) and office of workman’s compensation claims with the Atlanta Administrative Services Team.
Career Development and Training: Coordinates the delivery of training and employee development programs, which support the objectives, and goals of the FHWA. Provides support in locating individual training needs through internal training programs and partnerships established with colleges and universities. Supports all activities involved with placement of employees in the FHWA Federal Career Intern Program and Professional Development Program. Manages the EFLHD Student Employment and Mentoring Programs.
WorkLife Balance: Provides guidance, develops policy, and provides reports on the EFLHD Flexible Work Schedules, Telecommuting, Employee Assistance Program, and Family Friendly Leave Flexibilities.
The Finance Office is responsible for financial management at Eastern Federal Lands
and is involved in maintaining the integrity of the automated accounting system
used throughout the Department of Transportation. This includes a wide array of
activities such as setting up new accounts, reconciliation and obligation of funds.
The Finance Office’s core program areas include maintaining the automated accounting system, the e-travel system (Govtrip), GSA Travel Charge Card Program, Supplier Set-up, Payroll and T&A maintenance, and module reconciliation processes.
A new employee can come to Finance to receive their travel card applications, website training information for the charge card, supplier set-up, and assistance on the T&A processes.
The Finance Office’s core program areas include maintaining the automated accounting system, the e-travel system (Govtrip), GSA Travel Charge Card Program, Supplier Set-up, Payroll and T&A maintenance, and module reconciliation processes.
A new employee can come to Finance to receive their travel card applications, website training information for the charge card, supplier set-up, and assistance on the T&A processes.
Administrative Services provides Eastern Federal Lands essential services that make
day to day operations possible. Administrative Services manages three facilities
– our Office at 21400 Ridgetop Drive, the Construction Office & Asphalt Materials
Lab at Sevierville, TN and the EFL Warehouse at Davis Drive.
Administrative Services core program areas are Property Management, Fleet Management, Records Management, Physical Security (Includes Continuity of Operations and Occupant Emergency Planning), Facilities Management, Space Planning/Renovations and Telecommunications. We order and keep most basic office supplies in stock, including items needed for the training rooms, meetings and conferences.
For everyone’s convenience, Sterling Administrative Services maintains a loan pool of GSA vehicles and ensures they are in “ready-to-go” condition. We have DOT Headquarters Parking Permits, Toll Road EZPasses. A Contracted mail management team provides all mail services, conference room set-up assistance, shredding services and ensures that agency copiers are in working order.
Administrative Services core program areas are Property Management, Fleet Management, Records Management, Physical Security (Includes Continuity of Operations and Occupant Emergency Planning), Facilities Management, Space Planning/Renovations and Telecommunications. We order and keep most basic office supplies in stock, including items needed for the training rooms, meetings and conferences.
For everyone’s convenience, Sterling Administrative Services maintains a loan pool of GSA vehicles and ensures they are in “ready-to-go” condition. We have DOT Headquarters Parking Permits, Toll Road EZPasses. A Contracted mail management team provides all mail services, conference room set-up assistance, shredding services and ensures that agency copiers are in working order.
The Information Technology (IT) Section of the Administration Branch is composed
of both Federal employees and contractors. The IT Section is responsible for computer,
application and data management for the EFLHD. The support is normally categorized
as shown below.
IT Service Desk and Computer Management: The Service Desk is the main contact point between the employee and the IT Section. The Service Desk logs, tracks, and resolves problems employees have with the applications and hardware they use to complete their day to day tasks. The IT Section is responsible for maintaining, supporting and replacing the computer and information technology equipment used by the Division.
Data and Web Management: The IT Section is responsible for supporting and maintaining the servers used by the Division. The servers house the data used by the Division including design, project management, planning, documents, roadway and bridge inventory data plus email and all of the files used by employees. This service includes providing data base administration for the Division. The IT Section is responsible for maintaining the EFLHD web sites and the FLHNet website.
Video Conferencing and Data Projectors: The IT Section supports the FHWA IT video conference equipment and the data projectors used by the EFLHD. This includes providing assistance with setup and scheduling of the equipment. This service is obtained by contacting the IT Service Desk.
Application/Software Management and Support: The IT Section works in conjunction with the users and the Engineering Software Support Section to support the applications used by the EFLHD. This included providing assistance with purchasing,implementing, license management and supporting the applications used by the Division to meet their strategic goals.
IT Planning: The IT Section works in conjunction with the Branch IT Liaisons, their counterparts in the other Federal Lands Divisions, FHWA and DOT to develop the Division’s Information Resource Management (IRM) plan.
IT Service Desk and Computer Management: The Service Desk is the main contact point between the employee and the IT Section. The Service Desk logs, tracks, and resolves problems employees have with the applications and hardware they use to complete their day to day tasks. The IT Section is responsible for maintaining, supporting and replacing the computer and information technology equipment used by the Division.
Data and Web Management: The IT Section is responsible for supporting and maintaining the servers used by the Division. The servers house the data used by the Division including design, project management, planning, documents, roadway and bridge inventory data plus email and all of the files used by employees. This service includes providing data base administration for the Division. The IT Section is responsible for maintaining the EFLHD web sites and the FLHNet website.
Video Conferencing and Data Projectors: The IT Section supports the FHWA IT video conference equipment and the data projectors used by the EFLHD. This includes providing assistance with setup and scheduling of the equipment. This service is obtained by contacting the IT Service Desk.
Application/Software Management and Support: The IT Section works in conjunction with the users and the Engineering Software Support Section to support the applications used by the EFLHD. This included providing assistance with purchasing,implementing, license management and supporting the applications used by the Division to meet their strategic goals.
IT Planning: The IT Section works in conjunction with the Branch IT Liaisons, their counterparts in the other Federal Lands Divisions, FHWA and DOT to develop the Division’s Information Resource Management (IRM) plan.