1. Vendor or Manufacturer compares product to NDOT’s QPL Category/Specifications and verifies their product meets criteria/Specifications

    

2. Vendor/Manufacturer collects and prepares electronic versions of all documents required for the specific Category/Specifications to include with the application:
   • Product Data
   • Specifications
   • FHWA Letters/Documents
   • Certifications
   • SDS (Safety Data Sheets)
   • Composition/Laboratory Analysis
   • NTPEP Product Testing
   • Test Data/Lab Results
   • Plans/Drawings/Pictures
   • Handling precautions
   • Health Hazards
   • Instructions and Use Limitations
   • Installations and Site Preparation
   • Maintenance Manual/Instructions
   • Warranty/Guarantee Information
   • Product brochures and other relevant literature as appropriate

      

3. Vendor/Manufacturer fills out QPL Application from NDOT’s Product Evaluation webpage (via DocuSign electronic submittal or main in downloaded PDF):

• Applicant attaches all required documents (attachment upload links are at bottom of application)
  • Draft applications will remain active for 1-month and a link will be sent to the applicant’s email address for easy access for those who do not have DocuSign accounts.
  • If unable to attach a file to the electronic application, Applicants may use email, mail a thumb drive, provide a secure cloud file link, etc.

1. Submission of Application:
   • Once the application has been submitted, the application it is received by the Product Evaluation Coordinator (P.E. Coordinator) and P.E. Chairperson.
   • The P.E. Coordinator reads through the application to verify criteria required documents are present.  If any required documents are missing, the P.E. Coordinator will reach out to the applicant and request those documents.  The application will not be sent to the Evaluator until all required documents and files are received.
   • P.E. Coordinator adds Company and product to the database and creates a product file.  All correspondences related to the product are added to file.

      

2. Notification and document sharing:
   • The P.E. Coordinator notifies the category Evaluator responsible for assessing applications against the Quality Products List (QPL) of the new application and requests a recommendation for QPL inclusion.
   • Application and all supporting documents are shared with the Evaluator.

      

3. Confirmation of Receipt:
   • Applicant will be sent an acknowledgement email from the P.E. Coordinator, confirming that the application has been received and shared with the Evaluator.

      

4. Evaluation Process:
   • The Evaluator reviews the application and provides their recommendation regarding QPL inclusion. This may take several weeks as this duty is in addition to their normal job responsibilities.
     • Denied: if the product does not meet the criteria, a denial letter is sent to the applicant.
     • Recommended: if the product meets the criteria, it is added to the agenda for the next quarterly meeting of the Product Evaluation Committee (P.E. Committee). The Applicant will be notified of this status.

        

5. Committee Review and Decision:
   • Prior to the P.E. Committee meeting, all recommended applications are shared with Committee Members.
   • During the meeting, Committee Members discuss the applications, ask questions, and provide analysis.
   • Members then vote on whether to include or deny each product:
     • Denied: if the vote is against inclusion, a letter is sent to the applicant.
     • Tabled: if there are still questions regarding the product, the product will be added to the next quarterly meeting. The applicant will be notified and asked for any needed support information.
     • Recommended: If the vote is in favor of QPL inclusion, the Product Application proceeds to the Deputy Director for final approval.
     • Recommended for Field Test: The Product Application proceeds to the Deputy Director for Field Testing Approval.

        

6. Final Approval:
   • The Deputy Director reviews the recommended applications and meeting minutes.
     • Denied: a denial letter is sent to the applicant.
     • Tabled: the product is added to the next quarterly meeting’s agenda for further discussion. The applicant will be notified and if needed, asked to provide any supporting documentation.
     • Approved: The product is officially included in the QPL. An Acceptance Letter will be sent to the applicant and the updated QPL is updated, published on NDOT’s Product Evaluation webpage, and distributed to contractors with awarded projects.
     • Approved for Field Test: if approved for Field Test, the product will remain as “pending per Field Test” within the database, and a suitable project will be researched, and the product will be used on a project once one suitable is found. The applicant will be notified of this status.

• Field Test Passed: product will be brought before the Committee again, voted on, and if recommended, sent to Deputy Director for final approval. After Deputy Director’s approval, an Acceptance Letter will be sent to the applicant and the updated QPL is updated, published on NDOT’s Product Evaluation webpage, and distributed to contractors with awarded projects.
• Does not pass Field test: Denied QPL inclusion, and a letter is sent to the applicant. 

Verification Forms are sent out at the 1^st of each year for all products listed on the QPL.  Forms must be returned, even if verifying there are no changes.  Not returning these forms may result in being removed from the QPL.

Please refer to page 232 of the State Standards Book for requirements. 

Please refer to page 363 of the State's Standard Specification book for requirements.

Not accepting applications at this time

Please refer to Section 732, page 607 of the State's Standards Specification book for requirements.