One framework for every private utility engagement
Three phases — pre-field intelligence, field detection sweep, and diligence + verification. Two engagement shapes — a one-site standard engagement and a recurring program retainer. Mapped to ASCE 38 quality levels with a defined deliverable set that closes every project on the same terms.
Three phases, one coherent engagement
Every SureTrace engagement moves through the same three phases. Each phase has a defined outcome you can hold us to, and the activities below describe what is included in the scope-boundary agreement.
- Review existing as-built records, prior locating reports, and any private utility documentation already on file.
- Interview site contacts, facility managers, and previous contractors about known and unknown private assets.
- Identify high-risk zones: building entries, utility corridors, recent excavations, and historically missed segments.
- Establish 811 vs private demarcation so the field team knows exactly where the public ticket stops.
- Deploy complementary geophysical methods (GPR, EML, RF/EM induction, sonde tracing) wherever signal conditions allow.
- Mark findings using APWA color code with private-line indicators so the marks are unambiguous on plan and in field.
- Survey mark-outs to project coordinate system with handheld GPS or RTK where accuracy matters.
- Record depth estimates, signal confidence, and assumptions for every point.
- Cross-check field findings against mark-out tickets, prior reports, and known utility owner records.
- Pothole or vacuum-excavate conflict points where horizontal accuracy is critical.
- Document assumptions, signal-strength notes, and limitations transparently.
- Hand off deliverable to client with a closeout briefing.
Two shapes, scaled to the workload
Pick the shape that matches the cadence of the work. Numbers shown are indicative starting points — final pricing is set in the scope-boundary agreement before mobilization.
- Up to 5 acre footprint
- Multi-method sweep (GPR + EML + RF)
- Mark-out, survey, and field report
- Findings map + recommendations memo
- Closeout briefing
- Up to 6 site visits per quarter
- Standard engagement deliverables each visit
- Quarterly program review
- Priority scheduling
How SureTrace maps to the four quality levels
ASCE 38 defines four horizontal + vertical confidence tiers. A SureTrace engagement produces each tier under a specific scope, with the deliverables below showing exactly what satisfies the level.
When the engagement scope requires vacuum-excavation or pothole confirmation at specific conflict points — typically called out in the recommendations memo and executed before mobilization of the host contractor.
- Marked and surveyed site
- Field report
- Recommendations memo
The default SureTrace field output. Every standard engagement produces QL-B across the swept footprint, and QL-A at potholed conflict points.
- Marked and surveyed site
- Field report
- Findings map
- Sketch-block documentation
Always included as a layer in the findings map and the closeout briefing. QL-C alone is not the deliverable a SureTrace engagement stands behind.
- Findings map
- Closeout briefing
Provided during pre-field intelligence as a starting brief, before geophysical methods go to work. Used to scope the field sweep, never as the final deliverable.
- Field report
The deliverable set that closes every engagement
The seven artifacts below cover every SureTrace engagement. Format and depth are confirmed in the scope-boundary agreement during pre-field preparation.
Field markings in APWA color code with private-line indicators; surveyed coordinates delivered in the project datum.
Per-utility narrative of methods used, signal confidence, depth estimates, and limitations — written so a non-locator can read it.
Clean cartographic deliverable overlaid on the project base map, callable in the field by phone or tablet.
Prioritized list of follow-up actions: where to pothole, where further geophysics is warranted, and what to require of subcontractors.
Live walk-through with the project team to confirm they understand the deliverables, the limitations, and the path forward.
Sketch-level mark-up of the findings overlaid on a simplified site block plan — a quick-reference diagram the field crew can read without the findings map tooling.
The bound, signed end-of-engagement artifact: full deliverable compendium, methods narrative, assumptions register, and the principal-in-charge signature on the cover page.
Ready to scope the next engagement?
Send us a brief outline of the site and we'll come back within two business days with the scope, indicative pricing, and the deliverable plan. Or hold the long-form framework reference open while you draft the brief.
The OSHA side of the engagement
A second SureTrace funnel for high-penalty-exposure contractors — excavation, electric power, and confined-space work where written programs, training rosters, and citation response carry six-figure exposure. Scaled as a one-off audit or a quarterly review retainer covering 29 CFR 1926.651/652, 1926.95, 1926.20/21, 1910.146, and 1910.269, with the written program, citation response pack, and mock-audit findings memo as the deliverable package.