On-Call Professional and Technical Specialist Engineering

Project Description:

Grit Force Inc. serves as Prime Consultant to the California Department of Transportation, Division of Engineering Services, METS under Contract 59A1264 (232 Contract), Sacramento, CA — a $11.7M on-call engagement running 2024 through ongoing. The purpose of work under this corporate (232) contract is to ensure that the Caltrans METS corporate responsibilities are efficiently and effectively completed, with a strong emphasis on quality management and verification of materials used in Caltrans projects. The products and services that have been supporting and improving include materials test methods, Caltrans and METS committee support, procedures manuals, specifications, presentation materials, documentation, materials management systems, quality management systems, and innovation through new products and technologies. 

Scope of Services:

• Development and Implementation of Quality Assurance (QA): Conducting thorough QA testing and inspections for structural and roadway materials to meet ISO 9001:2015 standards.
• The team provides extensive expertise in Quality Management processes, materials testing, and innovation in roadway materials engineering, extraordinary depth of resources and a commitment to bringing innovative solutions to every challenge. The Professional Engineer (PE) stamped reports prepared by the Grit Force team have been utilized to make informed decisions in the development and revision of Caltrans specifications and test methods.

Highlights:

• Audit support to METS SMS branch with technical experts in NDT, Concrete and Coating. Creating significant cost savings for Caltrans with implementation Authorized Facility Audit Library for easy access to all approved quality control plans for inspectors to use at fabrication facilities creating significant taxpayer value.
• Technical expertise through multiple metallurgical analysis for steel bridges to augment and validate NDT to verify material integrity and enhance long-term quality assurance for critical infrastructure.
• Review and drafting support for various Deputy directives, recently DD-119R1 (for buy America) and previously under previous iteration of contract review of DD-90R1 and DD-23R2.
• Review of various legislations that come to Caltrans and METS review including AB 401, SB 596, Buy Clean California Act.
• As the primary NDT Level III for Caltrans help update Caltrans NDT program, including the written practice in accordance with SNT-TC-1A-2024 as well as corresponding NDT procedures.
• Help develop corporate guidance for Buy Clean California Act (BCCA) and as well as Build America Buy America (BABA) for SMS and Materials Management (MM) Branches especially for externally funded projects
• Support METS Precast, steel and source inspection committees with various technical issues, change recommendations etc.
• Working with academia on the development of engineering tools to increase material efficiency of concrete
• PE stamped reports recommending test method adoption and/or changes