Gopher State One Call (GSOC) wants to remind excavators of some of the tools available to you when planning upcoming projects. To help you plan your projects efficiently and stay compliant with regulations this summer, below is a clear overview of the different “non-excavation” ticket types available and some guidance on when to use them. Choosing the correct ticket type ensures smoother coordination, accurate information, and safe project execution, particularly for large or complex excavations.
Note: No excavation is allowed on these ticket types. They are provided only to assist with project planning and design.
Planning Tickets
Use this ticket during the initial engineering and design phase to request on-site markings or maps of underground facilities.
Note: Under Minnesota law, any person, prior to soliciting bids or entering a contract for excavation, must submit a planning ticket to GSOC, subject to certain exceptions (such as routine maintenance or home construction). (See Sec. 216D.04, Subd. 1a, (a) and (b).
- Ideal for engineers, architects, surveyors, planners, or anyone preparing bids or contracts.
- Facility operators may provide information through either in-field markings or maps/diagrams.
- Facility operators must respond within 15 working days.
- All information received from the facility operators must be included in final project drawings submitted as part of the bid or contract and include the utility quality level (if provided).
Design/Pre-Construction (Pre-Con) Ticket
Use this ticket to coordinate directly with facility operators during the design and pre-construction phases.
Note: This ticket type may be used to comply with the design stage and pre-construction meetings called for in MN Statutes Sec. 216D.04, Subd. 1a, (c) and (d).
- Used to schedule meetings at the proposed work site.
- For design phase meetings, the project owner must include scope, start dates, and duration.
- Pre-construction and design meetings both require all operators and contractors to attend.
- 15 business days’ notice must be provided prior to a design or pre-construction meeting scheduled through this ticket type.
- Utility data must align with ASCE/UESI/CI 38-22 standards.
Owner Inquiry (Information) Tickets
Use this option when you need information only and have no plans to excavate.
- No tickets are issued.
- Provides a list of underground facility operators and contact details.
- Ideal for early-stage planning, bid preparation, or contract consideration
Boundary Survey Tickets
Available exclusively to licensed Minnesota Land Surveyors.
- Used to request facility markings for boundary surveys.
- Operators must respond within 96 hours (not including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays).
- A field locate is required unless otherwise agreed upon by both parties.
- Must comply with Minnesota Statutes 216D.01 requirements.
To learn more about all of GSOC’s ticket types, visit our Ticket Types page. If you have any questions or need assistance selecting the right option, please reach out to our customer support team at[email protected].