Publications Transmittal

Transcription

1 Publications Transmittal Transmittal Number PT Publication Title / Publication Number Right of Way Manual M Originating Organization Project Development Division, Real Estate Services Date Remarks and Instructions The complete manual, revision packages, and individual chapters can be accessed at For printed manuals, page numbers indicating portions of the manual that are to be removed and inserted are shown below. Chapter Remove Pages Insert Pages Title Page i ii i ii Contents v xvi v xviii Chapter 14 Design Build Chapter 16 Use and Oversight of Consultants Please contact Terry Meara at or MearaT@wsdot.wa.gov with comments, questions, or suggestions for improvement to the manual. To get the latest information for WSDOT publications, sign up for updates for individual manuals at Washington State Department of Transportation Real Estate Services PO Box Olympia, WA Approved By Signature

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3 Right of Way Manual M Development Division Real Estate Services

4 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information Materials can be made available in an alternate format by ing the WSDOT Diversity/ADA Affairs Team at or by calling toll free, ADA (4232). Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may make a request by calling the Washington State Relay at 711. Title VI Notice to the Public It is Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) policy to ensure no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise discriminated against under any of its federally funded programs and activities. Any person who believes his/ her Title VI protection has been violated may file a complaint with WSDOT s Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO). For Title VI complaint forms and advice, please contact OEO s Title VI Coordinator at or To get the latest information on WSDOT publications, sign up for individual updates at Washington State Department of Transportation Real Estate Services PO Box Olympia, WA Phone: johnsoda@wsdot.wa.gov

5 Chapter 1 Administration and Operation Acronyms Personal Conduct Code of Ethics Political Activity Sales to Employees Prohibited Rendering Emergency Assistance Personnel Selection Washington State Civil Service System Classification Titles Function Titles Selection and Assignment Training Program Travel Vehicle Operation Highway Location and Design General Cost Estimates Right of Way Plans Compliance With FHWA Regulations Right of Way Projects Authority to Enter Lands for Surveys, Appraisals, Etc Actions Against State Employees Local Agency Projects Chapter 2 Organization Department Organization Responsibility and Authority Headquarters Real Estate Services Office Table of Organization Headquarters Real Estate Services Program Administrator (HQ RESPA) Property Management Program Manager Appraisal and Appraisal Review Program Manager Acquisition Program Manager Local Programs Right of Way Manager Region Organization General Responsibility and Authority Organization of the Attorney General s Office General Responsibility and Authority WSDOT Right of Way Manual M Page v

6 Chapter 3 General Information Acronyms Glossary The Acquisition Process Why We Do What We Do Federal Regulations Revised Code of Washington Washington Administrative Code County Designations The Property and Acquisition Specialist as a Notary Public Chapter 4 Appraisal Policy Project Funding Estimates Rules Procedures Appraisals Appraisals, Authorization Number of Appraisals Waiver of Appraisal Appraisal Assignment Distribution of Appraisal Reports Special Appraisal Situations Plan Revisions Damage Claims Advertising Signs Other Types of Appraisal Problems Responsibilities Region Appraisal Supervisor Appraiser Appendices Appendix 4-1 Appraisal Report Guide Chapter 5 Appraisal Review General Responsibilities Section Manager, Appraisal and Appraisal Review Program Region Real Estate Services Manager Review Appraiser Preliminary Procedures Preliminary Review Joint Inspection With Owner Desk Review Field Review Page vi WSDOT Right of Way Manual M

7 5-4 Analysis of Appraisal Reports Requirements Minor Deficiencies Major Deficiencies Unacceptable Appraisals Owner s Appraisal Report Determination of Value (DV) Preparation/Distribution Normal Preparation/Distribution Uneconomic Remnant Surplus Property Minimum Payment Policy Appraisal Review for Other Public Agencies Chapter 6 Acquisition General Requirements Introduction Rules Standard Acquisition Process General Early Acquisitions Definition Early Acquisition Alternatives Processing Early and Advance Acquisitions Acquisition with State Advance Right of Way Revolving Fund Preliminary Acquisition Activities Typical Pre-Acquisition Preparation Plan Preparation Project Inspection and Parcel Assignment Acquisition of Property and/or Property Rights by WSDOT (See also the flow chart on Determining Whether or Not Land or Property Rights or Interest are Needed in Appendix 6-3 and the Determining the Type of Property Rights Necessary flow chart in Appendix General Access Rights Easements, Temporary Easements, Permits, and Rights of Entry Easement for Transfer Change of Grade Acquisition Leases Inventory Control Numbers Identity of Parties General Rules WSDOT Right of Way Manual M Page vii

8 6-7 Acquisition Party Types General Procedures for Standard Acquisition Types Procedures for Governmental Acquisition Types Procedures for Other Acquisition Types Property and Acquisition Specialist s Actions Prior to Contact With the Owner Relocation Assistance Program Property and Acquisition Specialist s Contact With the Owner In-State Owner Alternate Contact (Offer) by Mail With In-State Owner or Out of-state Owner Post-Meeting Responsibilities Owner Represented by Others Remainders Uneconomic Remnants Excess Acquisition Administrative Settlement General Rules Procedures Sample Administrative Settlement Format Web Based Training Link for Administrative Settlements Reserved Payment of Rent Prior to the Acquisition of the Property General Rules Procedures Payment Options Special Benefits Toxic/Hazardous Waste Situations Property Rights Acquired and Occupancy by WSDOT General Rules Procedures Miscellaneous Expenses Incidental to Selling to the State Trades and Exchanges General Rules Procedures Construction Items Page viii WSDOT Right of Way Manual M

9 6-20 Road Approaches Salvage of Improvements Acquisition Transmittal Special Handling Right of Way Parcel Transmittal Right of Way Parcel Package Region Processing Headquarters Processing Condemnation, State General Rules Procedures Headquarters Processing Attorney General s Processing Closing Condemnation, Federal Rules Damage Claims Initial Action Procedures State Liabilities Procedures State Not Liable Appendices Appendix 6-1 Example Form RES Appendix 6-2 Advance R/W Revolving Fund Appendix 6-3 Determining the Type of Property Rights Appendix 6-4 Determining Whether or Not Land or Property Rights or Interest are Needed Chapter 7 Title Information General Title Functions Region General Title Commitments (Reports) Right of Way Plans Special Distribution Acquisition and Condemnation Assistant Attorney General, Department of Transportation Liaison Title Functions Headquarters Acquisition Condemnation Conveyances of Excess and/or Surplus Property Records WSDOT Right of Way Manual M Page ix

10 Chapter 8 Encumbrances General Clearance of Encumbrances General Technique Escrow Technique Lien Encumbrances Real Property Taxes Personal Property Taxes Assessments Deeds of Trust and Mortgages Judgments Miscellaneous Monetary Liens Property Rights Encumbrances Real Estate Contracts Leases Utilities Private Easements Mineral Rights Water Rights Reservations, Restrictions, and Defects Vacated Streets and Roads Prescriptive Streets and Roads Riparian/Littoral Rights Personal Rights Encumbrances Life Estate Incompetent, Mentally Ill, and Insane Persons Minors Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) Death Errors in Parties Appendices Appendix 8-1 Example Form RES Chapter 9 Instruments General Introduction Rules Elements (Paragraphs) Document Title WSDOT Project Number and Federal Aid Project Number Recording Requirement Block Plan Title Page x WSDOT Right of Way Manual M

11 9-7 Party Clause General Identity Different Names Marital Status Corporate Names Estate or Interest Trustee (also see Execution Section ) Executor/Administrator (also see Executor/Personal Representative Section ) Guardian (also see Section ) Tenants in Common and Joint Tenants (also see Execution Section 9-7.3) Fractional Interest Partnerships Limited Liability Companies (see Section ) Consideration Lump Sum Rate Instrument Types Deeds Easement Right of Entry, Permit, Temporary Easement Acquisition Lease Option Consent to Change of Grade Property Description Illustrations of Adequate Description Controlling Elements of a Description Rectangular Survey Descriptions Government Lots Water Boundaries Metes and Bounds Descriptions Platted Property Streets, Roads, and Highways Title Problems WSDOT Line Survey Descriptions Parcel Description County Roads Acquired Exchange Agreement Vacated Street or Road Sample WSDOT Descriptions WSDOT Right of Way Manual M Page xi

12 9-11 Miscellaneous Clauses Limited Access Specific Details Payment Authorization Improvement Straddling Right of Way Line Timber (Crop) Removal Road Approaches Nonlimited Access Construction Item Occupancy Date Land Locked Release of Damages Mineral Rights Reservation Pit Site and Common Borrow Slope Easement, Termination of Easement for Transfer Reversion Right of First Refusal Donation Clause Delivery Clause Instrument Date Execution General Individuals Corporations Partnerships Limited Liability Company (L.L.C.) Acknowledgment General Rules Format Examples Attachments/Corollary Documents General Rules Exhibits Acceptance and Approval Page xii WSDOT Right of Way Manual M

13 Chapter 10 Vouchers General Real Property Vouchers Invoice Vouchers Relocation Assistance Vouchers TRAINS Information Required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Statewide Vendor Registration Payment Processing Real Property Vouchers Rules Procedures Internal Coding Sheet for Real Property Voucher Reserved Invoice Vouchers Rules Relocation Assistance Vouchers Rules Procedures Relocation Assistance TRAINS Vendor Setup Chapter 11 Property Management Responsibility Preparation for Management Property Management System and Inventory Property Management Diary Project Inspection Salvage Appraisal Report Grantor Retained Salvage Acquisition Transactions Regional Processing (Chapter 6) Initiating Management Taking Control of the Property Taking Physical Possession After Vacation by Occupant Inspection and Maintenance of State-Owned Property General Maintenance and Repair of Improved Properties Improvements or Personal Property Within Right of Way Mobile Homes as Personal Property Disposal of Mobile Homes as Personal Property Sale of Improvements/Personal Property by Auction Removal of Improvements by Demolition Contract Removal of Improvements by Project Contractor Removal of Improvements for WSDOT Use Mobile Homes WSDOT Right of Way Manual M Page xiii

14 11-6 Disposal of Timber General Timber Disposal Processing Methods of Timber Disposal Disposal of Surplus Property General Methods of Disposal Final Processing and Document Preparation Modifications to Limited Access Highways Leasing General Application for Lease Lease Preparation Rent Collection Monitoring the Lease Assignment of Lease Termination of Lease Airspace Lease Specifics Right of Way Encroachments General Identifying and Managing Encroachments Developing an Action Plan Removing the Encroachment Curing the Encroachment Assessments Against State-Owned Lands Facilities Appendices Appendix 11-1 WSDOT Owned Land Property Types Appendix 11-2 Notice of Auction for Improvements Appendix 11-3 Property Inventory Instructions Appendix 11-4 Lease Exhibit Example Appendix 11-5 Unlawful Detainer Action in Washington Appendix 11-6 Short-Term Rent Appendix 11-7 Trail Lease Package Requirements Appendix 11-8 Land and Related Intangible Asset Inventory Practices for Financial Reporting Compliance Appendix 11-9 Contact Information Appendix Creating a New Lease Page xiv WSDOT Right of Way Manual M

15 Chapter 12 Relocation Assistance Acronyms Policy Purpose Authority Responsibility Applicability Assurances Organization Transaction Reviews Records Annual Reports General Policy General Operation Project Regulations Disaster Project Regulations Deviation From Procedures General Relocation Definitions Relocation Planning (Environmental NEPA/SEPA Stage) Relocation Advisory Services General Project Relocation Assistance Offices Public Information Relocation Written Notices Appeals/Reconsideration Civil Rights Residential Relocation Entitlements Eligibility Decent, Safe, and Sanitary Standards (Replacement Dwelling Inspection Report) Replacement Housing Payments Housing of Last Resort Residential Moving Entitlements Claiming Relocation Entitlements Nonresidential Relocation Entitlements (Business, Farm, and NPO) Eligibility Nonresidential Moving Payments Fixed Payment for Nonresidential Moving Expenses Move Cost Estimates by Relocation Specialists Claiming Nonresidential Entitlements Abandonment of Personal Property WSDOT Right of Way Manual M Page xv

16 12-8 Mobile Homes Eligibility Mobile Home Relocation Situations Replacement Housing Payments for Mobile Home Owners Other Considerations Personal Property Only (PPO) Relocation Definition Types of Personal Property Only Relocations Personal Property Only Relocation Entitlements Payment of Personal Property Only Entitlements Voluntary Transactions Requirements Relocation Eligibility Temporary Relocations Temporary Construction Easements (TCE) Relocation Inventory Appendices Appendix 12-1 Scenario Examples Appendix 12-2 Appeal/Reconsideration Language Appendix 12-3 Object Codes and Definitions Appendix 12-4 Recommendation Memorandum Appendix 12-5 Perishable Inventory Appendix 12-6 Fluctuating Inventory Appendix 12-7 FHWA Annual Statistical Report Appendix 12-8 Costs Reestablishment Expenses Appendix 12-9 Major Exterior Attribute Appendix Larger Than Typical Lot and Mixed Use Property Appendix Determining the Number of Businesses Appendix Professional Services Performed by Displaced Business Appendix Reestablishment and Duplication of Payment Appendix Displaced Business Leasing to Themselves Appendix Duplication of Payment Chapter 13 Forms Access for WSDOT Employees Access From Outside of WSDOT Appraisal Forms (Chapters 4 and 5) Acquisition Forms (Chapters 6, 8, and 9) Property Management Forms (Chapter 11) Relocation Assistance Forms (Chapter 12) Local Agency Forms and Brochures (Chapters 15 and 17) Page xvi WSDOT Right of Way Manual M

17 Chapter 14 Design Build Rules Federal Regulations State Procedures References Acquisition of Right of Way Chapter 15 Oversight of Local Agency Right of Way Program Acronyms Purpose Authority References Policy Training Forms/Resources Definitions Oversight Roles/Responsibilities/Expectations Communication/Coordination LPA-Approved ROW Procedures Funding Early Acquisition PFE/Relocation Plans/Right of Way Plans Regulatory Issues Spot Check Review Certification Review Results of Review (Spot/Certification) ROW Certification vs URA Compliance Letter Reporting and Tracking Oversight Feedback Reviews (OFR) for ROW Records Retention LAG Chapter WSDOT Right of Way Manual M Page xvii

18 Chapter 16 Use and Oversight of Consultants Non-A&E Professional Services Contracting by WSDOT Real Estate Services General Types of Services FHWA Compliance WSDOT Consultant Selection Process Approved Consultant List for Project Real Estate Services Real Estate Services Provided as Part of a Design Build or GEC Contract Payments and Data Entry Right of Way Certification Oversight Feedback Review (OFR) Chapter 17 Project Certification Acronyms Purpose Authority References Training Forms Definitions General Policy Procedures Appendices Appendix Appendix a Appendix Appendix a Appendix Appendix a Appendix WSDOT Certification Process Federal-Aid Projects Page xviii WSDOT Right of Way Manual M

19 Chapter 14 Design Build 14-1 Rules Design-build is a method of project delivery in which the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) executes a single contract with one entity (the Design-Builder) for design and construction services to provide a finished product Federal Regulations 23 CFR (p). 23 CFR Following are the relevant portions of this federal regulation which addresses the Real Estate requirements pertaining to Design-build projects: A. In the case of a design-build project, right of way must be acquired and cleared in accordance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended, and the WSDOT s right of way procedures. The WSDOT shall submit a right of way certification in accordance with 23 CFR (p) when requesting FHWA s authorization. If the right of way services are included in the Request for Proposal document, the WSDOT shall ensure that right of way is available prior to the start of physical construction on individual properties. B. The decision to advance a right of way segment to the construction stage shall not impair the safety or in any way be coercive in the context of 49 CFR (h) with respect to unacquired or occupied properties on the same or adjacent segments of project right of way. C. Certain right of way acquisition and clearance services may be incorporated into the design-build contract if allowed under State law State Procedures Note: If WSDOT elects to have the right of way acquisition and related services performed under a design-build contract the additional requirements of 23 CFR (c) and (d) will apply. Secretary s Executive Order Number E 1059 Organization Conflicts of Interests, dated July 10, 2009 Design Manual Chapter References RCW Design-build procedure Uses RCW Design-build procedure Project management and contracting requirements RCW Design-build contract award process WSDOT Right of Way Manual M Page 14-1

20 Design Build Chapter Acquisition of Right of Way A. If the WSDOT elects to perform all right of way services relating to the designbuild contract, the provisions in 23 CFR will apply. The appraisal, acquisition, property management, and relocation processes outlined in this manual shall be followed. WSDOT will notify potential bidders of the status of all right of way issues in the request for proposal document. Chapter 16 further describes the requirements for using consultants to perform these activities on design-build projects. B. If right of way services are performed under the design-build contract, the requirements of Chapter 16 apply. Page 14-2 WSDOT Right of Way Manual M

21 Chapter 16 Use and Oversight of Consultants Acronyms ACL Area Consultant Liaison CSO Consultant Services Office FHWA Federal Highway Administration GEC General Engineering Consultant IRIS Intergrated Realty Information System (RES s information system) OFM Washington State Office of Financial Management (a division of the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services) OFR Oversight Feedback Review PRES project real estate services (includes any or all of the following: appraisal, acquisition, relocation, and property management services) PM Project Management RES Real Estate Services RESM Region Real Estate Services Managers R/W right-of-way URA Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended WSDOT Washington State Department of Transportation Purpose Authority This chapter is to be used by the WSDOT for guidance, oversight, and selection of right of way consultants. This chapter explains the requirements and conditions to ensure compliance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended (URA), and the Right of Way Manual M RCW Procurement of Goods and Services WSDOT Right of Way Manual M Page 16-1

22 Use and Oversight of Consultants Chapter Non-A&E Professional Services Contracting by WSDOT Real Estate Services General The WSDOT Real Estate Services Office may require the services of consultants to accomplish project real estate services (PRES) tasks where WSDOT has insufficient expertise or staff availability and where the task duration does not justify enlarging WSDOT staff. In such instances, professional service contracts are initiated for PRES Types of Services A. The types of project-level real estate services that might be required include: Appraisal Cost-to-cure/specialist estimates used in the appraisal process Acquisition Relocation assistance Property management RES project management B. Because both the Title (Chapter 7) and Appraisal Review (Chapter 5) functions are inherently review processes, these activities will not typically be contracted. In the event in-house staff cannot be made available to perform these functions, Title work can be performed by consultants with the prior approval of the Acquisition Program Manager, and Appraisal Review work may be performed by consultants with the prior approval of the HQ RES Appraisal and Appraisal Review Program Manager. C. Different types of professional services contracts may be used, depending upon the scope of services needed and specific criteria related to the project (e.g., geographic location, special knowledge and qualifications, and timeframe). The CSO can provide specifics on the professional service contracting process FHWA Compliance When acquiring consultant services, WSDOT must comply with the requirements of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), including: Ensuring adequate oversight of consultant services for real estate activities as required by 23 CFR (h) on projects where right of way activities are being performed by consultants. Providing the opportunity for minority firms and women s business enterprises to obtain an equitable share of the work for which consultants are engaged within the projected scope of work, their respective capabilities, and availability. Page 16-2 WSDOT Right of Way Manual M

23 Chapter 16 Use and Oversight of Consultants WSDOT Consultant Selection Process A. Professional services contracts related to Real Estate Services are developed, processed, executed and administered by the WSDOT Consultant Services Office (CSO). The policies and procedures for procuring and managing professional services contracts are located in the Consultant Services Manual Chapters 2 and 3. These procedures are governed by RCW under guidance and instruction from the Office of Financial Management. These procedures do not apply to contracts between WSDOT and other public agencies or to contracts between the Attorney General s Office and private consultants. B. In general, if a new agreement or a supplement to an existing agreement is needed, the requestor submits a completed request memo form to the Consultant Services Office. The CSO will manage the solicitation process, work with the requestor to develop and execute the agreement, and ensure that OFM filing requirements are met. The Request Memo form can be located on the Consultant Services Web page at wwwi.wsdot.wa.gov/consulting. C. Each Region has an Area Consultant Liaison (ACL). They serve as a source of information and support on contracting procedures and contracts that are managed in the region. The CSO networks with the ACLs and provides training, policy, and process direction to them. They will be the regional conduit for processing real estate agreements through to the CSO and will collaborate with the RESM as needed. D. When there is a need for a new task order for PRES, the RESM sends out an requesting resource sharing to all regions with a copy to the appropriate Headquarters RES section manager. The should include a discussion of the scope of work, expertise needed, a request for availability of department staff, and a reasonable deadline for response from the regions. If it is determined that there are no staff available, the region requests the task order from the CSO. Task order requests for appraisal, acquisition, property management, and relocation services must receive approval by the appropriate Headquarters section manager prior to submittal to CSO. CSO is the last step in the authorization to implement task orders. E. Project specific and sole source agreements for PRES are the responsibility of the RESM for agreement initiation and management. These agreements will be processed through the CSO, who will facilitate the solicitation, scoring, selection, contract execution and OFM filing. F. All supplements to task orders (including time extensions, increased funding, etc.) will be requested from and processed by the CSO. The CSO will also administer agreement closure, will maintain official contract files, and participate in audits as required. G. The advertising and solicitation process will be based on direction from the Headquarters section manager and will be facilitated by CSO. Contracts shall be executed by CSO. WSDOT Right of Way Manual M Page 16-3

24 Use and Oversight of Consultants Chapter Approved Consultant List for Project Real Estate Services A. Because eminent domain PRES is unique, it is practical to maintain a list of approved consultants that can be utilized when existing RES staff are unavailable to provide these services. All individuals who are consultants or staff of consultant firms who carry out PRES activities on federally funded projects, or on projects that may be later submitted for federal funding eligibility, must meet the minimum qualifications established by WSDOT (if a qualified list has been established by RES for the discipline area, the consultant s name must appear on that list). It will be the responsibility of any individual on an approved list to keep current with required minimum qualifications and reapply as necessary. B. The approved list will be administered and maintained from the HQ RES office and will be available on the WSDOT RES web page Real Estate Services Provided as Part of a Design Build or GEC Contract A. In order to ensure full compliance with both Federal and State statutes, regulations, policies and procedures, oversight of contracted PRES activities under a design build or a GEC contract that might be performed by HQ RES or the appropriate RESM, as determined by Project Management, could include the following: Selection of PRES providers Oversight of PRES contract Management of deliverables (PFEs, title services, relocation plans, administrative settlement justifications, review and processing of payment requests, R/W certifications, and property management functions to include securing and policing acquired improvements) Review and approve actions and decisions recommended by the consultant Reviews, including spot checks and OFRs, to ensure performance measures are met B. As a minimum, HQ RES and/or the RESM must carry out the following oversight activities on projects being performed under a Design-Build or GEC contract: Pre-project conference. Prior to the commencement of any PRES activities on the project, the Design-Build or GEC contractor and their sub-consultants for PRES will meet with HQ RES or the RESM, as appropriate, to discuss expectations and requirements for successful completion of PRES activities. This meeting will also be used to establish processes and protocols for such work, including reviews, payment procedures, and proposed schedules. Page 16-4 WSDOT Right of Way Manual M

25 Chapter 16 Use and Oversight of Consultants Three Oversight Feedback Reviews. An OFR is a quality assurance review in which the Review team will present its findings and recommendations to Project Management. The intent of the OFR is to ensure that PM is provided an accurate picture of the status of RES activities on the project and, when deficiencies or issues of concern are found, that a list of corrective action options is provided. The in-house Appraisal Review function will constitute the OFR for appraisals prepared by fee appraisers. The next OFR will occur in the second or third month after the commencement of negotiations on the project, depending upon the number of acquisitions and relocations that have begun. A representative sample of files will need to be available for the OFR to be of most use to PM. Another OFR will occur during the latter of the sixth month or the midway point of PRES activities on the project. A final OFR will be performed as a pre-certification review before the project can be certified per Chapter 17 and, if federal funds are participating, in accordance with 23 CFR and ( for Design-Build projects). Project close-out meeting. At the conclusion of PRES activities and certification of R/W, the consultant and Project Management team will meet with RES HQ or RESM, as appropriate, to go over the findings from the HQ RES or RESM reviews and to ensure that any corrective actions identified in the OFR process have been completed, or that all necessary steps are in place for the consultant and Project Management team to complete such actions Payments and Data Entry Unless otherwise determined by the Project Manager, all payment claims for acquisition settlements, condemnation costs (including court deposits), and relocation assistance payments will be processed through the RESM, as applicable, and HQ RES. In advance of the notice to proceed with PRES activities, the Project Manager and HQ RES and/or the RESM will determine what data will be entered into IRIS by the consultant and what will be entered by HQ or the Region Right of Way Certification The Right of Way Certification 1, 2 or 3 for a Design-Build project or project under a GEC shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 17, specifically the section titled Design Build Certifications. For federally-funded projects, all R/W certifications will be forwarded to HQ RES for concurrence and then sent to FHWA (only Excepted Parcel Cert 3s require FHWA approval). For state-funded projects, all R/W certifications will be forwarded to HQ RES for concurrence. WSDOT Right of Way Manual M Page 16-5

26 Use and Oversight of Consultants Chapter Oversight Feedback Review (OFR) The OFR is a tool used by RES to ensure that the program or project is carried out in full compliance with Federal and State laws, regulations, policies and procedures. As the name implies, the OFR serves three critical purposes: Oversight These reviews fulfill our responsibility to FHWA to assure that acquisitions and disposals by a State agency are made in compliance with legal requirements of State and Federal laws and regulations. [23 CFR (b)] In order to qualify for and maintain our accountability for Federal funding, WSDOT is required to be adequately staffed, equipped, and organized to discharge (our) real property related responsibilities. [23 CFR (a)] We are also required by 23 CFR (h) to oversee the work performed by other public land organizations (e.g., local agencies) and private consultants. Failure to perform the required oversight can result in a variety of sanctions, including but not limited to loss of Federal funds on a parcel or project and/or withdrawal of Federal participation from future projects. Feedback In order to ensure meaningful oversight, these reviews must provide feedback to the PM on the progress and performance of PRES activities. The format for this feedback will typically include a report of the findings of the review team, identification of successful practices found during the review, and a listing of any deficiencies or possible non-compliance issues. Also, the feedback will include an action plan and/or list of options to address deficiencies and noncompliance issues and will identify the HQ RES technical specialists who may be consulted for assistance in addressing these issues. Review The overall format for the OFR will be to review not less than a representative sample of files and documents, as determined by the review team, and may include interviews with consultant staff to clarify findings from the initial file reviews. Typically, these reviews will be conducted on-site where the files and documents are located. Consultant Access In order for the review team to carry out its responsibilities, consistent with WSDOT s oversight commitment to FHWA and State requirements, the consultant must be available during regular business hours and the files must be readily accessible for the review team. The review team is not obligated to notify the PM of the files to be reviewed in advance of the on-site visit. However, the team will consider the consultant s work schedule in setting up interviews with consultant staff. Page 16-6 WSDOT Right of Way Manual M