FDOT Prequalified

Written by: Rachel Washington, Chris Buttermore, PE, and Justin Scarberry

Our company is taking strides to grow while bettering the community in which we work and live. One way that we are looking to do that is through work with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). To perform work on FDOT projects, firms must be prequalified consultants with FDOT, which MDG is!

What is a Prequalified Consultant?

Being FDOT prequalified is the first step to working with FDOT on state projects in the public sector. Firms need to be prequalified for the proper work group to even pursue project advertisements as a prime consultant or sub consultant.

FDOT screens all those considered prior to a project is released to determine their level of qualifications. Firms can submit for consideration at any time under any of the FDOT Work Groups, which can be found here. Once FDOT prequalifies a firm for specified work groups, they are required to renew their prequalifications annually.

MDG’s Prequalified Status

MDG is currently considered a prequalified consultant in the following work groups:

3.1 – Minor Highway Design
- Work under this group includes minor improvements and updates to roadways. Typically reserved for rural road work, but sometimes includes interstate resurfacing (replacing the top layer of asphalt). Specifically, 3.1 work could include minor widening, replacing, or installing new curb and gutter, minor drainage improvements, utility relocation, minor maintenance of traffic plans, and traffic operations improvements.

3.2 – Major Highway Design
- This work group will include new roadway design for urban and rural corridors or major reconstruction for existing facilities. The threshold between 3.1 and 3.2 when working on existing roadways is typically when the work includes adding two or more new lanes or substantial capacity improvements. Major intersection redesigns and more complex maintenance of traffic plans would also fall under the 3.2 work group.

7.1 – Signing, Pavement Marking and Channelization
- This work group is reserved specifically for the design and preparation of signing and pavement parking plans and specifications. These plans include designing the pavement marking layout, length, thickness, and color and must confirm to FDOT and Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) standards for proper driver expectancy.

10.1 – Roadway Construction Engineering Inspection
- This work group includes services for construction engineering, project administration, contract support and construction inspection to the FDOT and private developers for FDOT permitted construction.

13.6 – Land Planning/Engineering
- This type of work involves helping to assess the impacts that proposed roadway improvements may have on private property. Specifically, this would include activities like site analysis for compliance with comprehensive plans, local ordinances, and appraisal cost; providing professional opinions of site plans feasibility; impacts to drainage and environment; and preparing plans and studies which may include parking layout and vehicle use areas all in accordance with applicable codes, laws, and regulations.

15 – Landscape Architect
- This type of work includes planning, site planning, providing preliminary study designs, drawings, and specifications; landscape architectural supervision; job-site inspection; and administration of construction contracts.₁

Our team proudly added the 10.1 qualification this year! As we continue to grow, our goal is to continue adding prequalified work groups to our list. At the top of our list, MDG plans to expand our services to include more CEI services (5.2, 5.3, and 5.4), traffic studies (6.1 and 6.2), and signalization work (7.3).

MDG is also a registered Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and a Certified Small Business (SB).

A DBE is a for-profit small business in which a “socially and economically disadvantaged individual owns at least 51% interest” in the company. Being a woman-owned company qualifies us.₂

A SB is a registered small business in the state of Florida that has an annual gross maximum of $6.5 M for professional services.₃

What Does This Mean?

Being prequalified means that we can submit proposals for open jobs from FDOT. However, FDOT sets aside a certain number of jobs that are for DBE/SB firms. The goal of this is to increase the competitive market, increase the number of small businesses that contract with FDOT, and to increase the relationships between small businesses through teaming efforts. Along with our DBE & SB statuses, being prequalfied provides teaming opportunities with larger engineering firms that hopefully develop into opportunities for our Transportation & Landscape Architect departments. Together, we work to better the communities in which we live and work!

MDG was previously shortlisted for a project as a prime consultant and recently helped win a project as a subconsultant – both of which are major milestones in growing our public transportation department. Being FDOT prequalified also helps give other municipalities confidence that MDG is capable of doing the work.

MDG recently won two St. Johns County roadway projects using our extensive experience and backing that up with our prequalifications.

How Does This Benefit Our Clients?

Getting these prequalifications in FDOT work groups is a rigorous process in which the DOT will review all relevant past work to ensure you are capable of handling specific work. Being prequalified should give our private clients confidence that MDG has great experience in these categories and is professional and capable enough to handle their project.

In need of civil engineering services for your project? We would be happy to partner with you!