Partnering
Caltrans and the Construction Industry are committed to making partnering the way we do business. Partnering promotes open and honest communication, trust, understanding and teamwork. The field guide is written for both Caltrans and contractor personnel working at the project level to convey Caltrans and industry commitment to partnering, to define responsibilities for partnering, and to provide tools for successful partnering.
2027 Excellence in Partnering
- Form DOT CEM-5503, 2027 Caltrans Partnering Success in Motion Award Application (PDF)
- Form DOT CEM-5504, 2027 Caltrans Excellence in Partnering Award Application (PDF)
Established in 2025, the Caltrans Self-Directed Partnering Award recognizes project teams for exceptional self-directed partnering efforts at the project level, particularly on emergency projects or projects that did not require professionally facilitated partnering.
Three project teams will be invited to the 2027 ceremony in recognition of their outstanding efforts. To request a copy of the 2027 Caltrans Self-Directed Partnering Award application, please contact partnering.program@dot.ca.gov.
2026 Excellence in Partnering
- 26th Annual Caltrans Excellence in Partnering Awards Ceremony
- 2026 Ceremony Posters (PDF)
- 2026 Ceremony Program (PDF)
- 2026 Success in Motion Winners (PDF)
- 2026 Success in Motion Winners Alternative Format (XLSX)
Past Excellence in Partnering Winners (XLSX)
Contacts
- Caltrans Construction Partnering Steering Committee (CCPSC)
- Caltrans Partnering Coordinators
- Partnering Facilitators
Partnering Forms
- Form DOT CEM-5500, "Partnering Facilitator Registration Form" (PDF)
- Form DOT CEM-5501,"Partnering Facilitator Evaluation - Kickoff" (PDF)
- Form DOT CEM-5502,"Partnering Facilitator Evaluation - Closeout" (PDF)
- Partnering Invitation Letter Template (DOCX)
Resources/Manuals
- 2019 Partnering Facilitator Standards and Expectations (PDF)
- Field Guide to Partnering on Caltrans Construction Projects (PDF)
- Final Survey Core Goal Scores Calculation Example (PDF)
- Elevation of a Dispute Memo (DOCX)
- Partnering Facilitators Checklist (PDF)
- Partnering Kickoff Workshop Agenda Sample (DOCX)
- Why use Partnering on your Caltrans project? (PDF)