The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a list of common things to look for when selecting a third party to perform drug and alcohol testing services.

Specifically, the list offers advice on selecting:

• Urine specimen collectors for drug testing,
• Screening test technicians (STTs) who perform alcohol screening tests, and
• Breath alcohol technicians (BATs) who perform both screening and confirmation tests for alcohol.

The DOT says the following are the most common items to consider when selecting collectors, BATs, and STTs, whether the collections occur on-site or off-site:

1. Ensure they offer the services you want. For example, do they offer both urine collections and alcohol testing? Will they come to your worksite to conduct the testing if that is what you want?
2. Make sure they are open for business at the times you need them. Are they open during the times your drivers are on duty and may need to have tests? Will they remain open after their closing time if a driver presents an insufficient amount of urine?
3. Make sure they show you training documentation for their personnel (see 49 CFR 40.33 and 40.213).
4. Have them explain their procedures for notifying you or the designated employer representative (DER) of test results — especially refusals, positive alcohol tests, and problems with employees.
5. Check their collection sites for security and site integrity (see 40.43 and 40.223).
6. Determine if their facilities are conveniently located and offer parking.
7. Find out if they have the correct Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Forms (CCFs), DOT Alcohol Testing Forms (ATFs), collection kits, and alcohol test equipment.
8. Ask if they have a fax machine and intend to use it immediately after each DOT collection and/or alcohol test to appropriately distribute the paperwork.
9. Have them explain their procedures for collecting specimens under direct observation and whether they have same-gender observers readily available.
10. Ask if they have the DOT’s Urine Specimen Collection Guidelines, a copy of the Part 40 regulations, and the “10 Steps to Collection Site Security and Integrity” poster on the premises. These resources are available from the DOT.
11. See if they have references from other employers and records of DOT inspections and audits.

“A best practice is to visit collection facilities from time to time, when your employees are there for tests to see for yourself how the process is going,” the DOT recommends.

The agency also suggests talking to the medical review officer (MRO) to see how often tests are canceled because of collector errors.

“If collection companies are not doing a good job for you, look elsewhere for the service,” the DOT says. “Don’t risk being out of compliance with the various DOT regulations.”