Implementation Guidelines - Federal Transit Administration - U.S. ...

Exhibit 11-1
Role of State DOTs in Consortia Formulation
In the infancy of the DOT drug and alcohol testing program, several DOTs formed advisory
panels to identify some of the key issues facing transit operators, notably small transit operators
in very rural areas. Many concluded that a consortium approach would represent the best
solution, and worked with the transit systems to determine service needs, test volumes, and other
specifics.
State DOTs have also helped establish consortiums by providing grants to transit districts or
associations to organize and manage consortiums.
For example, in one case a transit district representing several transit agencies within a state
developed a request for proposal (RFP) for turnkey management of a TPA. After mailing RFPs
to prospective vendors, the transit district and the state DOT jointly interviewed four finalists and
chose a TPA. The transit district monitors the program and the TPA, and receives summary
statistical reports. The TPA provides all services including random selection, collection and
laboratory services, MRO, BAT, and litigation support. The TPA also provides a 24-hour hotline
staffed by knowledgeable professionals ready to respond to any employee testing situation.
The consortium manager says she “would not run a program any other way than with a
consortium and TPA” because the approach promotes high quality service, consistency, and
confidentiality.
In another state, the DOT needed to help transit operators who had no programs. Motor
carriers in the state had been subject to FHWA/FMCSA drug testing regulations for some time
and had complied with those regulations through the establishment of a consortium managed by
one of the motor carrier companies. The DOT approached the consortium to determine whether
it could serve the transit industry. The consortium agreed.
In a relatively short time, policies were developed and informational and education materials
were printed and distributed to all the transit systems. Personnel from the consortium and the
DOT delivered training sessions regionally. Despite the fact that parts of the state are quite
rural, the consortium is able to provide one to three collection sites in 30- to 50-mile radii from
each transit system. The consortium added mobile vans for collection. The unions have been
very supportive of the state program and of the consortium. There have been no labor
disagreements over the program.
Chapter 11. Joining a Consortium 11-19 August 2002