Referee Testing

To have a successful QC/QA program we need to recognize and understand how the system works. When QC/QA test results are used in the acceptance decision, testing disputes arising between TxDOT, or its designated agents, and the contractor shall be resolved in a reliable, unbiased manner by referee testing or evaluation performed by the Construction Division, Materials & Pavements Section (CST/M&P) central laboratory. The decision by the CST/M&P central laboratory will be final. Below is the paragraph from the QC/QA Specifications. Remember this is a partnering system that is only successful if this structure is followed.

The Construction Division is the referee laboratory. The Contractor may request referee testing if a "remove and replace" condition is determined based on the Engineer’s test results, or if the differences between Contractor and Engineer test results exceed the maximum allowable difference shown in Table 11 and the differences cannot be resolved. The Contractor may also request referee testing if the Engineer’s test results require suspension of production and the Contractor’s test results are within specification limits. Make the request within 5 working days after receiving test results and cores from the Engineer. Referee tests will be performed only on the sublot in question and only for the particular tests in question. Allow 10 working days from the time the referee laboratory receives the samples for test results to be reported. The Department may require the Contractor to reimburse the Department for referee tests if more than 3 referee tests per project are required and the Engineer’s test results are closer to the referee test results than the Contractor’s test results. The Construction Division will determine the laboratory-molded density based on the molded specific gravity and the maximum theoretical specific gravity of the referee sample. The in-place air voids will be determined based on the bulk specific gravity of the cores, as determined by the referee laboratory and the Engineer’s average maximum theoretical specific gravity for the lot. With the exception of "remove and replace" conditions, referee test results are final and will establish pay adjustment factors for the sublot in question. The Contractor may decline referee testing and accept the Engineer’s test results when the placement pay adjustment factor for any sublot results in a "remove and replace" condition. Placement sublots subject to be removed and replaced will be further evaluated in accordance with Section 341.6.2.2., "Placement Sublots Subject to Removal and Replacement."