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 manufacturer units capable of meeting specifications as required by the project the CMS is purchased for. These specifications may include any of the following: TEES 2020, 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) 25 work 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.
   1. Note: The manufacturer will need to contact the Structures & Engineering Services Office of Design & Technical Services to perform this evaluation.
2. Proof of manufacturer’s ability for CMS to communicate with Caltrans Transportation Management Centers (TMCs).
   1. Note: The manufacturer will need to contact METS Electrical Quality and Source Inspection Branch EQASI to perform this evaluation.
3. Proof of manufacture having CMS deployed in the field for a minimum of 5 calendar years.
   1. Note: The manufacturer will need to contact METS Electrical Quality and Source
4. Inspection Branch EQASI to perform this evaluation.
   1. Certificate of Compliance for CMS approved by the EQASI.
5. Electronic document clearly defining the material Warranty.
   1. Include the length of time the Warranty is good for.
   2. Include the process to resolve Warranty issues.
6. Completed Facility Audit Self-Evaluation which is approved by EQASI.
7. Approved Facility Audit conducted by EQASI of the manufacturer’s facility.

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