Project estimated cost
When calculating project costs for determining federal VE requirements please use the Total Project Cost Method as defined in the Cost Estimating and Cost Management (CECM) Technical Reference Manual from the MnDOT Project Scope and Cost Management Office.
The FHWA can withhold Federal-aid highway funds on any eligible project that did not receive a VE study. It is strongly recommended that projects approaching the above project regulatory thresholds have a VE study done. It is likely that project costs will creep up beyond the threshold amount once all totals are in. If this occurs at the end of the project, it may be too late to conduct a viable VE study.
Funding eligibility
The cost of performing VE studies is project related and is, therefore, eligible for reimbursement with Federal-aid highway funds at the appropriate pro-rata share for the project studied.