Federal Aviation

Administration

Memorandum
DEC 0 8 2014

Date:
To:

From:

rt Safety and Standards, AAS-1

Prepared by:

National Plans and Specifications Workgroup

Subject:

Implementation Plan for FAA Review of Construction Plans and Specifications

for AlP Funded Projects

PURPOSE:

This Memorandum provides information to Regional and Airports District Office (ADO)
Program Managers (PMs) and Engineers about the implementation plan for reviewing
construction plans and specifications (P&S) for Airport Improvement Program (AlP)
funded projects. The guidance in this memo will also be useful for reviewing projects
financed with any other funding source such as Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) or local
funding. The FAA review ofP&S should be done at the 90% design stage (at a minimum)
in order to capture the near-final design state before the project goes to bid. Additionally, it
may also be advantageous to review the P&S during earlier submittals as well.
BACKGROUND:

In order to standardize the review ofconstruction P&S for AlP funded projects and to
provide consistency among Regions and ADOs, the Office of Airports (ARP) 2011
Business Plan tasked the Office of Airport Safety and Standards (AAS) to "Complete a
national template with risk-based criteria for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
review of plans and specifications and to establish the time frame for implementation."
In January 2011, the National Plans and Specifications Workgroup was established to
develop a national template for reviewing AlP funded construction P&S. This template has
been coordinated throughout the Regions for review and comment. In July 2012, AAS-1 00
released a DRAFT Engineering Brief (EB) #88, "Guidance for Reviewing Airport
Construction Plans and Specifications" to obtain employee comments. All comments were

2
considered and many were incorporated into the attached Review Matrix (Appendix 1) and
Review Guides (Appendices 2 & 3).
APPLICATION:
There are three levels of plans and specifications (P&S) review established using the
Review Matrix: (1) No Review (Sponsor Certification); (2) General Review; and (3) Full
Review. For No Review, FAA acceptance of P&S is based solely on submittal of a
satisfactory executed sponsor certification per FAA Order 5100.38. For General Review,
FAA acceptance of P&S is based upon a satisfactory executed sponsor certification and a
cursory review of the P&S. For Full Review, FAA acceptance of P&S is based upon a
satisfactory executed sponsor certification and a more comprehensive review of the P&S.
Based upon the type of project, type of airport, and total estimated construction (or
equipment) costs, the PMs and/or Engineers, utilizing the Review Matrix (Appendix 1),
must determine the applicable level of P&S review [i.e. sponsors certification solely or
General or Full Review Guides (Appendices 2 and 3)]. The PMs and/or Engineers who
perform the review of the P&S will complete and sign the PM/Engineer AIP Construction
Plans & Specifications (At 90% Completion) Review Record, (Appendix 4) for placement
in the grant file with the sponsors certification.
A PM or Engineer may choose to review the sponsors P&S at a higher level of review
when the sponsor is designated high risk, or if the consultant is not familiar with the design
standards or unusual conditions at a specific airport, or if the FAA has experienced
previous issues with the consultant or airport sponsor, or if new technologies are being
utilized or for other reasons.
In all cases, the objective of P&S review by the FAA is to verify: conformance to the
approved scope of work and verification that the work meets AIP eligibility requirements;
conformance to FAA design and construction standards (including provisions that are
either deficient or exceed design standards); incorporation of required Federal provisions;
and airport safety provisions. Review by the FAA must not be construed as a quality
control check for the Engineer of Record, or in any other respect validating the technical
engineering calculations. Moreover, nothing in this review (including failure by FAA to
identify a nonstandard condition) may be construed as an official approval of a
Modification of Standards. The FAA's review and comments do not in any way relieve the
Engineer of Record of his or her professional duty to ensure the safety, constructability,
functionality and/or performance requirements of the plans and specifications. At the same
time, the FAA's comments must not be construed as giving technical direction to the
Engineer of Record. Rather, the FAA provides its comments to the Airport Sponsor in
connection with the requested AIP grant. Even if the FAA's reviewer is a licensed
Professional Engineer, the FAA's reviewer should not in any way cite those credentials in
providing their comments.

3
IMPLEMENTATION:
Effective immediately, Regional and ADO Program Managers and Engineers are
encouraged to use the Review Matrix and Review Guides when reviewing construction
plans and specifications.
Effective March 1, 2015, Regional and ADO Program Managers and Engineers are
required to apply the Review Matrix for all AIP projects on Part 139 airports, and all AIP
projects on General Aviation airports with an estimated cost of construction over 2 million
dollars (for Full Review).
Effective October 1, 2015, Regional and ADO Program Managers and Engineers are
required to apply the Review Matrix for all AIP funded construction projects.
APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS: The latest version of the applicable "Current FAA
Advisory Circulars Required for Use in AIP and PFC Approved Projects" incorporated in
the FAA Grant Assurances.
APPENDICES:
There are four Appendices to this Memo:
1. AIP Construction Plans and Specifications Review Matrix
2. Construction Plans and Specifications General Review Guide
3. Construction Plans and Specifications Full Review Guide
4. PM/Engineer AIP Construction Plans & Specifications (at 90% completion)
Review Record
If you have any questions, please contact John R. Dermody at (202) 267-7669 or Thomas Mai at
(202) 267-8754.

Required Submittals in advance of 90% P&S

Const.
Consultant Engineering Safety &
Sponsor
Phasing
Scope of
Design
Cert for
Plan
Work
Report
P&S
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
n/a
n/a
x

Required Submittals in advance of 90% P&S

Const.
Consultant Engineering Safety &
Sponsor
Scope of
Design
Phasing
Cert for
Work
Report
Plan
P&S
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
n/a
n/a
x

Eligibility
Verification
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x

Eligibility
Verification
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x

Contract
Provisions**
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x

Contract
Provisions**
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x

139/Primary
Greater than
$1M*
Full
General
Full
General
General
Full
General
General
General
General
General
General
General
General
General
General

139/Primary
Greater than
$5M*
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
General
Full
General
General
General
General

NP Less than
$300K*
General
Sponsor Cert
General
Sponsor Cert
Sponsor Cert
General
Sponsor Cert
Sponsor Cert
General
Sponsor Cert
Sponsor Cert
General
Sponsor Cert
Sponsor Cert
Sponsor Cert

NP Less than
$500K*
General
General
General
General
General
General
General
General
General
General
Sponsor Cert
General
General
General
General

Rev 02/0502014

NP Greater
than $500K*
Full
General
Full
General
General
Full
General
General
General
General
General
General
General
General
General

Acceptance of Plans & Specs Based On

139/Primary
Less than $1M*
General
Sponsor Cert
General
General
General
General
General
Sponsor Cert
General
General
Sponsor Cert
General
Sponsor Cert
Sponsor Cert
Sponsor Cert
General

Acceptance of Plans & Specs Based On

* The dollar amounts shown above reflect the total estimated construction (or equipment) costs (not limited to federal share) for the P&S to be reviewed
** If changes have been made to the Standard Provisions, the Sponsor needs to identify them

Runway New Construction- NP

Runway Rehab-NP
Runway Safety Area Improvements
Taxiway New Construction-NP
Taxiway Rehab-NP
Taxiway Safety Area Improvements
Apron New Construction-NP
Apron Rehab-NP
Runway Airfield Lighting-NP
Taxiway/Apron Airfield Lighting-NP
AWOS
NAVAIDS
Hangars/GA Terminal Bldgs
SRE Bldgs
Equipment

Non Primary Airports

Runway New Construction-139/Primary

Runway Rehab-139/Primary
Runway Safety Area Improvements
Taxiway New Construction-139/Primary
Taxiway Rehab-139/Primary
Taxiway Safety Area Improvements
Apron New Construction-139/Primary
Apron Rehab-139/Primary
Runway Airfield Lighting-139/Primary
Taxiway/Apron Airfield Lighting-139/Primary
AWOS
NAVAIDS
SRE Bldgs
ARFF Building
Terminals 139
Equipment

Primary and Part 139 Airports

AIP CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS REVIEW MATRIX

APPENDIX 1

APPENDIX 2
CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS "GENERAL REVIEW GUIDE"
Airport Name:
Location:
Project(s):

AIP Grant Number:

LOCID:

Engineer's Estimated Construction Cost:

This is an abbreviated guide identifying specific FAA expectations.

PLANS
COVER SHEET
1
2
3
4
5
6

Yes

No

NA

Comments

Yes

No

NA

Comments

Yes

No

NA

Comments

Airport name
Airport location
Owner/Sponsor name
AIP project number
Project title
Index of drawing sheets

GENERAL
1 Is the development shown on the site drawing
consistent with the approved ALP?
2 Is the development shown on the site drawing
consistent with the proposed AIP grant?
3 Do the plans incorporate any construction or related
environmental mitigation measures associated with
the applicable Federal Environmental Finding and/or
other permits?
4 RW / TW Width meets requirements per AC
150/5300-13
5 RW / TW Safety area width/length per AC 150/530013
6 Pavement section and thicknesses (match Pavement
Design)
7 Building/Equipment eligibilty determination (by
FAA)
8 Design meets geometric separation and dimensional
standards per AC 150/5300-13
9 Review for ineligible items or unallowable costs.
10 Modification to Design Standards documented and
approved
11 Do the plans properly show the required
Construction Safety and Phasing Plan elements (i.e.
phasing, work limits, barricades, haul routes, storage
areas, clearance surfaces, etc.)?
PAVEMENT MARKING (Reference AC 150/5340-1)
Runway markings:
1 Runway threshold markings
2 Runway designation markings
3 Runway centerline markings
4 Runway aiming point marking
5 Runway touchdown zone markings
6 Runway threshold bar

Appendix 2 Page 1/2

APPENDIX 2
CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS "GENERAL REVIEW GUIDE"
7
8
9
10
11

Demarcation bar
Arrows and arrowheads
Chevrons
Runway holding position markings on runways
Temporary markings during construction

Taxiway markings:
1 Taxiway centerline markings
2 Runway holding position markings on taxiways
3 Edge Markings Needed?
4 Surface Painted Holding Sign
SIGNS (Reference AC 150/5340-18)
Yes

No

NA

Comments

Yes

No

NA

Comments

Yes

No

NA

Comments

Yes

No

NA

1 Signage- Layout
2 Sign and marking plan approved for Part 139
airports
LIGHTING PLAN (Reference AC 150/5340-30)
1 Threshold/ Runway End lights (Color Coding, Height,
Location & Spacing)
2 Runway Lights (Color Coding, Height, Location &
Spacing)
3 Taxiway lights (Color Coding, Height, Location &
Spacing)
NAVAIDS (PAPI, REILS, AWOS, ILS, etc.)
1 Non-Fed coordination (for ILS/AWOS/PAPI)
2 Location shown
3 Siting criteria addressed in Design Report
SPECIFICATIONS
Comments

1 Construction Safety & Phasing Plan incorporated in

bid package (and reviewed and coordinated in
OE/AAA)
2 Modification to Construction Standards documented
and approved
3 AC 150/5370-10 latest revision used and any
modifications identified
4 Federal wage rates
5 DBE goal identified

In bid package or attached to contract

Note: "Yes" also means the element meets standards

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

Appendix 2 Page 2/2

APPENDIX 3
CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS "FULL REVIEW GUIDE"
Airport Name:
Location:
Project(s):

AIP Grant Number:

LOCID:
Engineer's Estimated Construction Cost:

This is a review guide identifying specific FAA expectations.

PLANS
COVER SHEET
1
2
3
4
5
6

Yes

No

NA

Comments

Yes

No

NA

Comments

Airport name
Airport location
Owner/Sponsor name
AIP project number
Project title
Index of drawing sheets

GENERAL
1 Is the development shown on the site drawing
consistent with the approved ALP?
2 Is the development shown on the site drawing
consistent with the proposed AIP grant?
3 Do the plans incorporate any construction or related
environmental mitigation measures associated with
the applicable Federal Environmental Finding and/or
permits?
4 other
Building/Equipment
eligibilty determination (by
FAA)
5 Review for ineligible items
6 Modification to Design Standards documented and
approved
7 Do the plans properly show the required
Construction Safety and Phasing Plan elements (i.e.
phasing, work limits, barricades, haul routes, storage
areas, clearance surfaces, etc.)?

LAYOUT & TYPICAL SECTIONS

Yes

No

NA

Comments

1 Design meets Geometric Separation and

Dimensional Standards per AC 150/5300-13
2 Pavement sections and thicknesses conforms to
design report
3 Drainage Plan
RUNWAY
Yes

No

NA

Comments

1 Plan sheet shows existing pavement survey

elevations and final longitudinal and transverse
grades of pavement surface meeting grading
standards per AC 150/5300-13
2 Shoulder width meet standards
3 Safety area width, length and grading meets
standards for design category
Appendix 3 Page 1/4

APPENDIX 3
CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS "FULL REVIEW GUIDE"
4 Runway OFA clear of all objects not fixed by function
5 RW Width meets Runway Design Code

TAXIWAY
Yes

No

NA

Comments

Yes

No

NA

Comments

Yes

No

NA

1 Plan sheet shows existing pavement survey

elevations and final longitudinal and transverse
grades of pavement surface meeting grading
standards per AC 150/5300-13
2 Shoulder width meet standards
3 Safety area width and grading meets standards for
design category
4 Fillet Layouts shown, if required, and meet TDG
5 Runway/taxiway/taxi lane separation meet
standards
6 Taxiway OFA clear of all objects not fixed by function
7 Drainage Plan
8 TW Width determined by Taxiway Design Group

GRADING & DRAINAGE

1 Contour lines/Spot Elevations
2 Edge drains/outlets, etc.
3 Drainage Structures proper for aircraft loads?
4 Direction of flows indicated
5 Ditches are outside of the safety areas
MARKING (Reference AC 150/5340-1)
Comments

1 Marking plan approved for Part 139 airports

1
2
3
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

RUNWAY MARKINGS
Runway designation markings
Runway centerline markings
Runway threshold markings
Runway aiming point marking
Runway touchdown zone markings
Runway side stripe markings
Runway Displaced Threshold markings
Runway demarcation bar
Arrows and arrowheads
Chevrons
Runway holding position markings on runways
Runway shoulder markings
Temporary markings during construction**

1
2
3
4

TAXIWAY MARKINGS
Taxiway centerline markings
Enhanced taxiway centerline markings
Edge Markings Needed?
Runway holding position markings on taxiways
Appendix 3 Page 2/4

APPENDIX 3
CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS "FULL REVIEW GUIDE"
5 Surface Painted Holding Position Sign
6 ILS Critical area, POFZ and other hold markings
7 Intermediate Holding position marking for txy-txy
intersection
8 Surface Painted taxiway location Marking
SIGNAGE (Reference AC 150/5340-18)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Yes

No

NA

Yes

No

NA

Yes

No

NA

Comments

Signage- Layout
Mandatory Instruction Signs
Location signs
Direction signs
Destination signs
ILS critical area/POFZ boundary sign
Sign plan approved for Part 139 airports

LIGHTING (Reference AC 150/5340-30)

Comments

RUNWAY LIGHTING
1 Threshold/Runway End lights (Color Coding, Height,
Location & Spacing)
2 Runway edge lights (Color Coding, Height, Location
& Spacing)
3 Runway Centerline Lights (Color Coding, Location &
Spacing)
3 TDZ Lights (Color Coding, Location & Spacing)
TAXIWAY LIGHTING
1 Taxiway Edge Lights (Color, Height, Location &
Spacing)
2 Taxiway Centerline Lights (Color-Coding, Spacing)
3 RGL (Inpavement/Elevated; Color)
4 Is there a SMGCS plan that requires specific lighting
in this project?
NAVAIDS (PAPI, REILS, etc.)
1 Non-Fed coordination (for ILS/AWOS/PAPI)
2 Location shown
3 Siting criteria addressed in Design Report
SPECIFICATIONS
Yes
No NA

Comments

1 Construction Safety & Phasing Plan incorporated in

bid package (and reviewed and coordinated in
OE/AAA)
2 Buy American contract language
3 Modifications to Construction Standards
documented and approved
4 AC 150/5370-10 latest revision used and any
modifications identified
5 Federal wage rates

In bid package or attached to contract

Appendix 3 Page 3/4

APPENDIX 3
CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS "FULL REVIEW GUIDE"
6 DBE Goal Identified

Note: "Yes" also means the element meets standards

** Separate plan sheet provided
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

Appendix 3 Page 4/4

APPENDIX 4
PM/ENGINEER AIP CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS (AT 90% COMPLETION)
REVIEW RECORD
Airport Name:
Location:
Grant Description:

AIP Grant Number:

LOCID:

Engineer's Estimated Construction Cost:

Project Planner/Manager:

Yes

No

NA

Comments

1 Is the proposed development shown consistent with

the approved ALP?
2 Is the proposed development consistent with the
approved Scope of Work?
3 What is the date of the CURRENT FAA ADVISORY CIRCULARS REQUIRED
FOR USE IN AIP FUNDED AND PFC APPROVED PROJECTS list applicable
for review of this project?

Date:

I, the undersigned, have reviewed the Construction Project Plans and Specifications to the best of my ability in accordance with
the memorandum and find them acceptable. My review shall not be construed as a quality control check for the Airport Sponsor.
The Airport Sponsor is ultimately responsible for certifying that the Plans and Specifications meet FAA requirements.

Signature

Date

I acknowledge that the review of plans and specifications has been completed by the PM/ Engineer based on my review of the
Appendices under this memorandum.

Manager Signature

Date

Appendix 4 Page 1/1