The Purchase Order Contract section, based in Raleigh, headed up by the Assistant State Bridge Engineer - Operations, Rick Nelson, P.E., consists of two squads each with a Transportation Engineer II, Transportation Engineer I, Transportation Tech. IV and two Transportation Tech. III's. The primary purpose of this section is to prepare plans and contract documents for bridge replacement projects costing $800,000.00 or less by purchase order contract. This involves obtaining recommendations for bridge replacements from the area superintendents, developing plans and contract documents, and letting the projects to contract. Maintenance funds as well as TIP funds are used for the replacements.