QCML Criteria for Steel Beam Highway Guardrail

This criteria was qualified by MassDOT as of the date posted: January 05, 2026

For Steel Beam Highway Guardrail Suppliers and Manufacturers to be listed on the Qualified Construction Materials List (QCML), a product must meet the requirements of Subsection M8.07.0 of MassDOT’s Standard Specifications including all Material and Testing Requirements outlined herein. This includes a requirement for a product to be evaluated by AASHTO Product Evaluation & Audit Solutions.

For the Manufacturers

Material must conform to AASHTO M 180 Type II, Class A and satisfy the following requirements:

• The Manufacturer has submitted a Certificate of Compliance each year stating that they are compliant with the auditing and testing criteria set forth by AASHTO Product Evaluation & Audit Solutions for Guardrail/Guiderail Manufacturers.
• The Manufacturer must submit a Brand Registration and Guarantee document showing compliance of the Guardrail Components with AASHTO M 180 Specifications via [e-mail], through physical delivery, or by the previous requirement as a submittal through AASHTO Product Evaluation & Audit Solutions.
• The Manufacturer must submit any current or updated records of markings present on M 180 Panels, Posts, or Terminal Ends.

For the Suppliers

Suppliers of Guardrail and related products must satisfy the following requirements to be listed on the Steel Beam Highway Guard QCML:

• The Guardrail Supplier must provide a Mill Certificate (MC) to MassDOT Research and Materials Section (RMS) for each shipment of Guardrail Components to the MassDOT project. This documentation shall be submitted to the MassDOT Materials SharePoint site.
• The Guardrail Supplier will only be approved to supply Guardrail Components from Manufacturers that have been sampled, tested, and approved by MassDOT RMS inspectors during the Verification Program at the supplier’s facilities. MCs from each Guardrail Manufacturer must be provided by the Supplier to RMS during Verification sampling. Please be advised, MassDOT will be conducting random audits of guardrail beams beginning after May 1, 2023. These random audits will involve inspection of their stock and to confirm that heat numbers are legible on each beam.
• The Guardrail Supplier must provide a Certificate of Compliance (COC) that includes the heat numbers of the Guardrail Components supplied to their specific project to the MassDOT Resident Engineer identifying the Manufacturer and Guardrail Components being supplied to the project.
• It is the responsibility of the Guardrail Supplier to notify MassDOT RMS if and when a new source of Guardrail Components has been received by the supplier so that sampling of the new source can be coordinated with RMS. Sampling and Acceptance of this source must be completed prior to being included on the QCML and being shipped to a MassDOT project.

QCML Listing, Expiration, and Re-Qualification

Once qualified, the Guardrail Supplier or Manufacturer will be listed on the MassDOT QCML. The facility shall be re-qualified on an annual basis. The facility shall remain on the qualification list unless one of the following occurs: 

• MassDOT RMS determines that the product no longer meets the minimum requirements.

A written request for re-qualification must be submitted to the Department at least 60 days prior to the expiration date to remain on the QCML.