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How does SUDAS function on a daily basis?

Basically what we as the SUDAS staff do is coordinate with engineers throughout the state, to keep our two manuals, one design and one construction specifications, up to date with respect to the current materials and construction practices.

What’s SUDAS’ main objective?

The objective is, through this uniformity, contractors would be able to be more efficient in their bidding operations, because they would know what to expect in each location, and then also in their construction activities because they would have the proper equipment. Also, their workforce would know that if they were building an intake in West Des Moines it would be the same as building an intake in Sioux City.

How does it feel to be promoted to director?

Well, it’s a very rewarding organization and group of people to work with. And you’ve seen my past work activities, we have been involved with urban public works all my working career. To continue to do that is really rewarding, and to understand the value of this program to the state, to direct it is somewhat humbling.

What will be some of your general responsibilities as the director?

One of the things that we continue to do, is try to expand the use of the manuals. It is voluntary, there is no legal requirement, so we have to convince people that it is the best thing to do. So that will be one of the major activities. But also we have been working very closely with the Iowa DOT to try and bring the two specifications together particularly as it pertains to underground installations and utility installations. That will be an ongoing emphasis.

How many communities are involved?

Right now we have about 1000 specification manuals out, so they’re being used. Those are for cities and counties, and sometimes materials suppliers will have them so they know what materials are approved for use.

Explain what updating the manuals actually entails.

Basically what we do is evaluate through a technical committee, elements that have to be updated or changed. We take those around to our six district committees, and we have people from cities, county engineers, and DOT engineers that then discuss it, make a recommendation from each of those districts, and we compile it. Then it goes to our board of directors, a 37-member board, that then votes on implementation of whatever that change might be and they are subsequently printed in the manual.

How unusual is it to have a statewide program like SUDAS?

As far as we know we are the only state that has a program of this magnitude. Some states maybe in a larger metro area would have a group of cities within that metro area that would get together and do this type of thing. But no one has done it statewide as we are aware of.

What are the benefits of a program like this?

When I worked in Ames, we had our own set of specifications, the Des Moines metro area obviously had theirs, so work in West Des Moines was the same as it was in Des Moines or Clive. But our specifications were different. I was having a very difficult time getting any contractors to come from the Des Moines area, 30 miles north to Ames. And the reason was, they said, ‘well you do things differently up there and we don’t want to get caught.’ And so as soon as we had the opportunity we tried to get the urban standards from the Des Moines area as our specifications and after that we had bidders coming up from the metro area. The real value is in the competition that agencies are able to generate because the contractors aren’t looking at something that might be different and trying to figure out how it’s done.

Is there an accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Well I think the elements that I see as values to the SUDAS program are really what the accomplishment is. And that is just really bringing all those things together for the betterment of the citizens of the state.