The role of GDOT Project Managers is changing. Because of the drastically increasing work load the Project Managers will not be able to perform detailed reviews that were performed in earlier years. Each engineering company will share credit for successes and shoulder blame for failures. This necessarily means that the private sector engineering companies will perform many tasks that were previously fulfilled by GDOT staff - from mundane to high level.

Each firm will be responsible for its QC/QA. This necessarily means that all personnel involved in performing the work must have a clear understanding of the scope and intent of the overall project, and the appropriate design criteria and environmental concerns, in order to ensure that the work product meets or exceeds GDOT expectations. GDOT's responsibility is to clearly define and communicate its requirements and expectations to engineering firms before work is initiated. The purpose of this manual is to assist in defining requirements and expectations of GDOT for Geotechnical Services.

Everyone should obtain a copy of "Manual of Quality Standards for Consultant Services with the Georgia Department of Transportation". This manual addresses the importance of QC/QA plans, the roles and responsibilities of GDOT and private sector engineering firms, and the importance of meeting schedules.

The GQI QC/QA Geotechnical Subcommittee developed this manual. The geotechnical engineering firms were eager and willing to assist with the development of these guidelines. The following individuals served on this subcommittee:

Donald E. Hill, P.E., Chairman United Consulting
Thomas E. Scruggs, P.E., Co-Chairman GDOT Geotechnical Bureau
Robert Watkins, P.E. Willmer Engineering
Bob Goehring, P.E. ECS, Ltd.
Randy A.Knott, P.E. Law Engineering
Doug Gilmore, P.E. QORE, Inc.
Randall Bagwell, P.E. Nova Engineering
Michael D. Smith, P.E. Law Engineering