Authorization Criteria for Changeable Message Signs List

General

All Changeable Message Signs (CMS) which are to be permanently installed on the State Highway System as Contractor Furnished material must be procured from manufacturers who are on the Caltrans Authorized Facility Audit List (AFAL) before incorporation into any Caltrans construction project.

Manufacturers included on the AFAL must be able to manufacture units capable of meeting specifications as required by the project the CMS is purchased for. These specifications may include any of the following: TEES Chapter 13 Errata 2 April 2022, Caltrans Standard Specifications (section 86/87), Statewide NSSP, or District NSSP.

Manufacturers approved for the AFAL will be included for 3 calendar years from the date of approval. If a manufacturer wishes to remain on the AFAL after the 3 calendar years, they must contact the Materials Engineering and Testing Services (METS) Statewide Materials Support Branch (SMS) at METS.Facilityaudits@dot.ca.gov 25 weeks prior to the approval expiration date. If the manufacturer is again approved, the listing will be extended another 3 calendar years from the end of that expiration date.

Changeable Message Signs (CMS) Authorization Criteria

The following is required for a manufacturer to be included on the Caltrans Authorized Facility Audit List (AFAL):

1. Proof of manufacturer's ability to mount CMS to existing Caltrans structures
   • Note: The manufacturer will need to contact the Structures and Engineering Services Office of Design and Technical Services to perform this evaluation.
2. Proof of manufacturer's ability for CMS to communicate with Caltrans Transportation Management Centers (TMCs).
   • Note: The manufacturer will need to contact METS Electrical Systems Testing and Integration (ESTI) to perform this evaluation.
3. Proof of manufacturer having CMS deployed in the filed for a minimum of 5 calendar years.
4. Certificate of Compliance for CMS approved by the ESTI.
   • Note: The manufacturer will need to contact ESTI to perform this evaluation.
5. Electronic document clearly defining the material Warranty.
   • Include the length of time the Warranty is good for.
   • Include the process to resolve Warranty issues.
6. Completed Facility Audit Self-Evaluation which is approved by ESTI.
7. Approved Facility Audit conducted by ESTI of the manufacturer's facility.

Note: Caltrans reserves the right to perform and audit or remove a manufacturer from the Authorized Facility Audit List at any time.

Caltrans EQASI contact: James Rhodes, (916) 708-2490, James.Rhodes@dot.ca.gov