Technical Services Division

MISSION STATEMENT

The Technical Services Division (TSD) is the core operation behind the Contacting Offices Authority (COA) to facilitate infrastructure development throughout the Commonwealth. The division administers all mandated Legislative Budget Appropriations, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funded projects, projects funded by federal programs through local using agencies, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) projects in conjunction with natural disasters and in coordination with other government agencies.

DIVISION OVERVIEW

The responsibility of the Technical Services Division extends beyond the funding administration. TSD’s critical role applies from the inception of a project idea. The division is ultimately responsible to forecast and implement needed and critical projects to enhance the quality of life of the community. The Technical Services Division oversees the planning stages of studies, architectural and engineering design, construction implementation and project management.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

It is the goal of the Technical Services Division to provide quality work and professional representation through its performing sections and branches which are as follows:

1. 1. Right-of-Way (ROW) Section;
  2. Traffic Section;
  3. Highway Office
  4. Programs Section;
  5. Architectural & Engineering Facilities Branch; and
  6. Administrative and Accounting Sections

The Division, through its sections and branches, monitors the compliance of government construction through applicable laws and regulations.

The current workload of the Technical Services Division is driven by experienced personnel and led by the director of TSD. Proposed project requests are reviewed by the director before they are assigned to respective A&E Facilities Branch managers for project inception.

The A&E Facilities Branch is comprised of two sections – buildings, and roads and drainages. Although this branch essentially provides services for projects funded by local appropriations, A&E Facilities Branch also serves government agencies that receive funds for construction by federal programs (i.e., FEMA). Site investigative works are conducted by the A&E team prior to either producing construction documents for construction or developing construction documents to outsource A&E design.

Accordingly, the Programs Section is charged with formulating projects developed by the A&E Facilities Branch into bid packages and is subsequently charged with the development of project contract documents. The Programs Section works closely with the A&E Facilities Branch, as well as outside government agencies, to ensure cohesion and efficacy.

As each project reaches fruition, requests for payments are received by TSD’s Accounting Section wherein each request is reviewed for accuracy and processed for approval. The Accounting Section also works simultaneously with both the A&E Facilities Branch and the Programs Section to ensure compliance in accordance with all applicable contractual agreements.

To ensure quality document handling, the TSD Administrative Section provides clerical work to support the TSD director and each respective section or branch with organizing documents, inter-office communications, and assistance with personnel matters.

ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS

SLL 15-25 allows the use of 5% of total project appropriations to the Technical Services Division, specifically its Administrative, Programs, and Accounting Sections, A&E Facilities Branch, and other branches/sections of TSD that are directly involved with the execution of locally appropriated projects, to fund office supplies, operational supplies, equipment and accessories, and other such administrative costs needed to properly manage projects. These administrative costs do not apply to hiring or personnel expenses.