The Material Quality Assurance Manual is published online by the Office of Materials Technology (OMT) as a centralized location for tasks, procedures and frequencies for the evaluation of material quality. Use this manual along with the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) Standard and Supplemental Specifications for Construction and Materials , the Book of Standards for Highway and Incidental Structures and other specification sources. The Material Quality Assurance Manual does not supersede any official specification but is intended to summarize the Quality Assurance (QA) process by material.

This manual has been updated as noted below under Revision History. SHA / OMT does not print hard copies of the manual for distribution.

Material Quality Assurance Manual

B​uild America, Buy America

For federally-funded projects advertised after November 10, 2022, certificates of compliance with the Build America, Buy America Act will be required from product manufacturers or producers for all iron, steel, and construction materials.

A "construction material," per BIL/IIJA section 70914, is defined as “An article, material, or supply —​ that is or consists primarily of non-ferrous metals; plastic and polymer-based products (including polyvinylchloride other than an item of primarily iron or steel; a manufactured product; cement and cementitious materials; aggregates such as stone, sand, or gravel; or aggregate binding agents or additives composite building materials, and polymers used in fiber optic cables); glass (including optic glass); lumber; or drywall. Based on BIL/IIJA section 70914, cement and cementitious materials, and aggregate binding agents or additives are excluded from the definition of 'construction materials.'​​"

• Introduction (PDF, 300 KB) 
• Table of Contents (PDF, 200 KB) 

• Material Quality Assurance by Technical Team

1. Asphalt Technology Division (PDF, 600 KB)
2. Concrete Technology Division (PDF, 8​​00 KB)
3. Landscape Programs Division (PDF, 600 KB)
4. Materials Management Division (PDF, 500 KB)
5. Soils and Aggregates Technology Division (PDF, 800 KB)
6. Structural Materials and Pavement Markings Division (PDF, 1.0 MB)
7. Traffic Operations Division (PDF, 600 KB)



• Appendices​

1. Appendix A - Complete Material Listing (PDF, 500 KB)
2. Appendix B - Specification to Material Index (PDF, 400 KB)
3. Appendix C - Frequency Guide, All Phases (PDF, 800 KB)
4. Appendix D - Frequency Guide, Construction Phases (PDF, 5​00 KB)
5. ​ Appendix E - Frequency Guide, Small Quantity Provisions (PDF, 400 KB)



• Revision History

1. May 24, 2022 (PDF,200 KB)
2. February 11, 2022 (PDF,200 KB)
3. May 5, 2017 (PDF, 100 KB)
4. October 26, 2016 (PDF, 200 KB)
5. March 25, 2016 (PDF, 200 KB)
6. November 20, 2015 (PDF, 100 KB)
7. February 25, 2015 (PDF, 1.0 MB)

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