How are submittals reviewed and who approves them?

• A. Submittals (shop drawings, product data, samples) are reviewed by the Government QA/Resident Engineer and approved or returned for revision.
• B. Submittals are approved by the Contractor's QC Manager without government review.
• C. Submittals are never reviewed; they are filed for record only.
• D. Submittals are approved by the client after payment.

Answer: (B)

Submittals are formal records of how a contractor plans to execute the work, including shop drawings, product data, and samples. On USACE projects, they are reviewed by the Government Quality Assurance team, specifically the QA/Resident Engineer, to verify they conform to the contract documents and approved designs. If a submittal matches requirements, it is approved for use. If it doesn’t, it is returned with required revisions so the contractor can resubmit. The contractor’s QC Manager is responsible for preparing and coordinating submittals and ensuring they are complete and accurate, but final approval rests with the government QA, not the contractor. Payment or client approval does not determine submittal approvals; the official clearance comes from the government reviewer after verification against the contract.