Use of Certified Construction Materials 

Municipal and state construction projects are highly regulated in all aspects and the State of Iowa is no exception. The construction aggregate materials used in these projects need to conform to strict standards defined by the respective state bodies like the Department of Transportation (DOT). The Iowa DOT Office of Construction and Materials has defined such standards and specifications for all of its projects, too. However, finding the right supplier who can supply certified construction materials can be challenging. That is where Legacy Materials comes into play.

Iowa DOT Certified Materials from Legacy Materials

Legacy Materials provides customers with a number of Iowa DOT certified materials including D-57 Gravel, Porous Backfill, Concrete Sand, Floodable Backfill, and Granular Backfill to help fulfill the needs and expectations of many state and municipality sponsored projects.

Compliance with Iowa DOT Standards

When it comes to certified materials, the liability for quality control of these materials lies with the supplier. The Iowa District Materials Personnel determines the aggregate quality by testing samples. However, passing this test alone will not be sufficient for suppliers. Suppliers also need to execute the responsibilities defined in “Guidelines for Aggregate Producer Quality Control Program, IM 209, Appendix A.” 

Maintaining the standards of products and processes for state-certified construction materials is a long-term commitment and one that Legacy Materials prides itself in. That’s why finding a supplier, such as Legacy Materials, that is compliant with the state’s specifications is of paramount importance for all contractors participating in state infrastructure projects.

Sampling Methods and Procedures

Finding the right supplier who produces certified construction materials is just the tip of the iceberg. The Iowa DOT has set forth sampling methods and sampling procedures for suppliers to follow. The agency has precise specifications for all materials including certified concrete sand or certified aggregates in this IM (Institutional Memorandum). And in the event of any criteria being missing from this IM makes use of the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM). Legacy Materials has a rigorous process in place including in-house daily sampling and quality control by an independent third party in order to ensure consistent adherence to these specifications and provide its customers with quality, Iowa DOT certified materials each and every day.  

Iowa DOT’s Approved Producer Program

The minimum requirement is for the supplier to be on the “Approved Producer Program” list published by the Iowa DOT. This is not just for virgin products. Even recycled products must be sourced from suppliers on this list. Recycled products often come under more scrutiny as they tend to be contaminated by rebar, asphalt, and other materials.

Once the supplier’s presence on the list is validated, it is vital to ensure that the sourced materials are as per “The Material Specifications Limits & Sampling and Testing Guide” published by the Iowa DOT. Non-compliance to these specifications allows the District Materials Engineer to place the supplier on conditional status. If this situation continues, the engineer can remove the supplier from the list altogether.  Legacy Materials takes compliance to these standards very seriously and throughout our company’s history has maintained our good standing on the Iowa DOT’s Approved Producer Program.

Local, Woman-Owned Business

As one of the only local, woman-owned businesses in this industry, Legacy Materials prides itself on supplying any materials that are needed for construction projects. Not only that, but we know the work we do at Legacy Materials will supply the need for future growth in Des Moines and the surrounding area. As a sand and mining operation, we focus on sustainability and bettering the community in which we live. This means supplying our customers with quality products that will withstand the test of time.

When you partner with a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), you gain a number of benefits including tax incentives. The federal government affords tax incentives to those who conduct business with minority and women-owned businesses. Additionally, tax liabilities are reduced for projects funded with federal or state grants or loans when the supplier is a woman-owned business.  Being an aggregate supplier and materials handler Legacy Materials can be your single source for all of your construction material needs.

There’s More to Consider Than Certification Alone

Be it a single lot procurement or continuous purchase across the entire project; contractors need dependable and compliant suppliers like Legacy Materials. Presence on the Approved Producer Program list will qualify a supplier for compliance. But the key to successful delivery lies in the infrastructure and equipment that the supplier uses. Coarse aggregate preparation in huge volumes will mean that the supplier should be able to invest in the necessary capital equipment. Without this, the suppliers will not be reliable partners when the project demands fluctuate.

The Legacy Materials site features a new, state-of-the-art KPI/JCI Sand Plant. We are committed to sourcing materials from our site and utilizing the industry’s leading equipment and processes. This allows us to supply customers with quality, aggregate products in a cost-efficient manner that also works for their timeframe.

See our permanent plant growth by watching the video below.

Finally, the supplier also needs the necessary logistical support to deliver the products to the site. The supplier may have their transport equipment or may have the required partners in place, but without this, the timely arrival of supplies will become the contractor’s problem, jeopardizing schedule adherence. Legacy Materials works closely with third-party delivery entities to ensure that supplies are delivered in a timely manner. Schedule adherence in a construction project can be expensive considering the cost of labor, equipment, and capital that will sit idle in the case of delays.  With Legacy Materials, you have peace of mind that quality products will be delivered on schedule.

Legacy Materials meets all requirements including compliance, infrastructure, logistical support, and robust financials, making us the ideal partner for any contractor working on state or municipal projects.

Does Your Next Project Require Iowa DOT Certified Materials?Legacy Materials has supplied materials to concrete contractors, landscape contractors, pipeline contractors, and other construction businesses in the greater Des Moines metropolitan area. To know how our Iowa DOT certified materials can help you execute your municipal and state construction projects, call us at 515-432-7333.