Laboratory Assessment Program

The AASHTO re:source Laboratory Assessment Program (LAP) provides assessments of laboratories that perform testing of materials used for construction and the preservation of roads, bridges, and vertical infrastructure. Participating laboratories include state DOT’s and other government laboratories, universities, research facilities, material producers, and commercial testing laboratories.  AASHTO re:source’s rigorous assessments are a critical step in obtaining and maintaining accreditation through AASHTO.

Benefits

By receiving an AASHTO re:source assessment, your laboratory is able to:

• demonstrate conformance to specific national and international standards;
• experience a thorough examination of technician competency;
• get expert advice and first-hand feedback on laboratory best practices; and
• seek AASHTO Accreditation.

Scope of Assessments

During assessments, our comprehensively-trained assessors observe a demonstration of each standard test method or practice by the laboratory’s technical staff, and the apparatus associated with each test is evaluated. We currently offer assessments for AASHTO, ASTM, and ISSA standards, as well as some state and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers methods. A full list of standards offered by LAP may be found on the Tests and Fees page. The assessment may also include a thorough audit of the laboratory’s quality management system for conformance to AASHTO R 18 and other quality system standards including ASTM D3470, D3666, C1077, E329 and ISO/IEC 17025. These quality management system audits cover the full scope of the laboratory's quality management system, including evaluating internal policies procedures, and all associated records.

Laboratories can currently receive assessments in the following fields of testing*:

Aggregate Asphalt Binder Asphalt Mixtures Emulsified Asphalt Iron and Steel

Pavement Preservation Rock Soil Spray-Applied Fire-Resistive Materials (SFRM)

*For laboratories that require an assessment in concrete, cement, pozzolan, slag cement, or mortar, please contact the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL). Laboratories who obtain an assessment through CCRL are also eligible for participation in the AASHTO Accreditation Program. 

Assessment Process

Laboratories must submit an Assessment Request in order for our staff to schedule an assessment at your facility. You will be notified of the specific assessment date approximately 4-6 weeks in advance. When submitting a request for an assessment, your laboratory must agree to our Laboratory Rights and Responsibilities for AASHTO re:source Assessments. View the estimated schedule to determine when we will be visiting your area as part of our normal tour schedule. Regular assessment fees are calculated based on the amount of time the assessment required. If you would like to have an assessment at a time other than that shown on the schedule, additional travel costs for an out-of-sequence assessment may apply. 

Before the Assessment

• Your assessor will be in contact with you 2-4 weeks before the scheduled start date of your assessment.  The assessor will be able to answer any technical or logistical questions that you have about the assessment process.  The assessor will also send you an official agenda for the assessment that will provide you with additional information on what to expect during your assessment.
• Laboratories shall be familiar with the specific requirements for each requested test or procedure.  Current versions of each applicable test method shall be available at the testing laboratory for review by the assessor.
• Review Assessment Preparation Lists that are available on our website. These lists describe the steps that laboratories should take to prepare for each test, such as sample preparation and testing guidance. 

During the Assessment

• A typical assessment begins with an opening meeting, where the assessor reviews the scope and schedule of the assessment with laboratory personnel.
• The laboratory’s technical personnel demonstrate each test method while being closely observed by the assessor. The testing is performed on samples of construction materials that are provided by the laboratory.
• The apparatus associated with each test method is also examined for conformance to the standard requirements. Our assessors are prepared with equipment for this purpose, such as digital calipers  and thermometers.
• If the laboratory is seeking or wishes to maintain accreditation through AASHTO, a thorough review of the laboratory’s quality management system for conformance to AASHTO R 18 will occur.  A review of ASTM and ISO/IEC quality system standards for conformance will also occur, if requested. Our assessors will conduct interviews with key personnel, review equipment records, training and competency evaluation records, test reports, internal audits, and other critical documents as part of this process.
• At the conclusion of the assessment, the assessor will conduct a closing meeting with laboratory staff. A preliminary report of the findings uncovered during the assessment is provided. The findings are discussed and questions are answered by the assessor to ensure that each finding is thoroughly understood by laboratory staff.

After the Assessment

• The official final report is issued and available to the testing laboratory within 30 days of the closing meeting.
• If participating in the AASHTO Accreditation Program, laboratories are required to resolve nonconformities noted in the assessment within 60 days of the issuance of the report.

Our Assessors

AASHTO re:source assessors are subjected to a comprehensive training program that includes thorough in-house instruction, hands-on testing, and field training during assessments. AASHTO re:source encourages professional development and many of our assessors have received additional technical and auditing skills training from organizations such as Humboldt, National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT), the Asphalt Institute, and the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

Duty of Care

The safety of our customers and laboratory assessors is AASHTO’s prime concern as we visit your laboratory. To help ensure assessments are conducted in a safe environment, AASHTO is committed to the actions described in our Duty of Care policy in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Laboratory Rights and Responsibilities

By requesting an assessment by AASHTO re:source, you certify that have read and comply with Items 1-10 in our Laboratory Rights and Responsibilities for AASHTO re:source Assessments.

Feedback

AASHTO re:source prides itself on providing excellent customer service to our valued customers. Feedback regarding your assessment experience will be actively solicited during and after the assessment. You will have the opportunity to rate the Assessor on categories such as knowledge, communication, and punctuality. Your feedback is taken seriously and helps us improve our programs and services.

More Information

Find additional resources on our re:University pages.