SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Nondestructive Testing to Identify Delaminations between HMA Layers
- Notice Date
- 7/29/2008
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- The National Academies, Transportation Research Board, Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2), 500 Fifth Street NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001
- ZIP Code
- 20001
- Solicitation Number
- SHRP2R06D
- Archive Date
- 9/24/2008
- Point of Contact
- Monica A. Starnes,, Phone: 202-334-1894, Linda Mason,, Phone: 202-334-3241
- E-Mail Address
-
mstarnes@nas.edu, lmason@nas.edu
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- SHRP 2 Request for Proposals Focus Area: Renewal Project Number: R06-D Project Title: Nondestructive Testing to Identify Delaminations between HMA Layers Date Posted: July 29, 2008 SHRP 2 Background To address the challenges of moving people and goods efficiently and safely on the nation's highways, Congress has created the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2). SHRP 2 is a targeted, short-term research program carried out through competitively awarded contracts to qualified researchers in the academic, private, and public sectors. SHRP 2 addresses four strategic focus areas: the role of human behavior in highway safety (Safety); rapid highway renewal (Renewal); congestion reduction through improved travel time reliability (Reliability); and transportation planning that better integrates community, economic, and environmental considerations into new highway capacity (Capacity). Under current legislative provisions, SHRP 2 will receive approximately $150 million with total program duration of 7 years. Renewal Focus Area The U.S. highway system is aging and must be rebuilt while we are driving on it and living next to it. Research in the SHRP 2 Renewal focus area therefore addresses the need to develop a consistent, systematic approach to completing highway projects quickly, with minimal disruption to the community, and producing facilities that are long-lasting. Identifying new technologies for locating underground utilities; developing procedures to speed the evaluation of designs and the inspection of construction; and applying new methods and materials for preserving, rehabilitating, and reconstructing roadways and bridges are among the goals for this focus area. Alternative strategies for contracting, financing and managing projects, and mitigating institutional barriers also are part of the emphasis on rapid renewal. The renewal scope applies to all classes of roads. Project Background One of the more serious problems that can occur in hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements is delaminations between HMA layers. Several instances have been documented where pavements with delamination problems have experienced significant early damage. The presence of undetected delaminations and/or discontinuities in asphalt pavements also provides paths for moisture damage and development of other distresses including stripping, slippage cracks, pavement deformation, and reduction in pavement strength. Delaminations are also key contributors to top-down cracking of HMA pavements. A rapid nondestructive test method is needed to determine the existence, extent, and depth of delaminations and/or discontinuities in asphalt pavements so that the appropriate rehabilitation strategy can be determined. Objectives The main objective of this study is to identify and develop nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques that are capable of identifying and determining the extent and depth of delaminations and discontinuities in HMA pavements. To achieve this objective the researchers shall determine key indicators that may be used to identify potential areas of delamination including lack of bond, stripping, and other causes. The NDT techniques developed under this project should provide rapid results with near 100% continuous coverage of the pavement area. Tasks Task descriptions are intended to provide a framework for conducting the research. SHRP 2 is seeking the insights of proposers on how best to achieve the research objectives. Proposers are expected to describe research plans that can realistically be accomplished within the constraints of available funds and contract time. Proposals must present the proposers' current thinking in sufficient detail to demonstrate their understanding of the issues and the soundness of their approach to meeting the research objectives Phase I Task 1: Conduct an international literature search to identify applicable and promising technologies/techniques for identifying debonding of HMA layers, including technologies used in other industries (such as geophysical, aerospace, etc.) but with potential in the area of pavement evaluation. Task 2: Based on the findings from Task 1, recommend the most promising NDT techniques from the perspective of speed, accuracy, precision, ease of use, etc. When applicable, provide preliminary plans for the development of new or the modification of existing technique(s) that could be carried out under this project. Task 3: Propose for SHRP 2 approval an independent panel of experts to review and evaluate the speed, accuracy, precision, ease of use, etc. for successful implementation of the promising NDT techniques. A minimum of 5 volunteers is suggested for this independent panel, which should include pavement, materials, and inspection experts from transportation agencies. Upon SHRP 2 approval of panel membership, conduct a working session with the independent panel to prioritize the promising NDT techniques and establish the practical performance values of speed, accuracy, precision, etc. needed from the technologies. Task 4: Develop a detailed research and development (R&D) plan (including controlled laboratory and/or field testing) for proof-of-concept and validation for the most promising NDT techniques. The plan should include testing criteria, experimental design, procedures, data acquisition needs, etc. The plan should also include the proposal for validation test beds (existing and/or to be constructed) for positive proof of the NDT techniques. Task 5: Prepare and submit to SHRP 2 an interim report documenting Tasks 1 through 4. Wait for SHRP 2 approval before proceeding to Phase II. Phase II After approval of the Phase I Report, and on receipt of direction to proceed, conduct the following tasks: Task 6: Execute the approved R&D plan by conducting the planned research, development, and testing activities. Task 7: For the technique(s) that proved successful in Task 6, conduct field validation (i.e., in an uncontrolled environment). Task 8: Document the R&D and testing results. Additionally, document the testing protocols for the successful techniques (i.e., those that met the performance criteria established in Task 3). Task 9: Prepare and submit for review a draft final report documenting the entire project. The final report should also include recommendations for future research. This report will include a stand-alone technical brief summarizing the NDT technique(s) developed, including test procedures, protocols, photos, sample data output, equipment features (cost, availability, specifications, etc.), advantages, and limitations. Task 10: Prepare and submit a Final Report that responds to the review comments. Deliverables • Phase 1 report • Draft final report documenting the entire project • Final revised report • Stand-alone technical brief summarizing the technique(s) developed • Quarterly progress reports • Three (3) interim meetings with SHRP 2 staff: One (1) in Washington, DC and two (2) at the contractor's facility • Telephone conference calls, as needed • One (1) interim meeting with the TCC in Washington DC; Irvine, CA; or Woods Hole, MA. Funds Available: Not to exceed $800,000 for the entire project. Contract Period: Thirty (30) months for the entire project Responsible Staff: Dr. Monica A. Starnes, mstarnes@nas.edu, 202-334-1894 Authorization to Begin Work: January 2009, anticipated Proposals (20 single-bound copies) are due not later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on September 9, 2008 This is a firm deadline, and extensions simply are not granted. In order to be considered, all 20 copies of the agency's proposal accompanied by the executed, unmodified Liability Statement must be in our offices not later than the deadline shown, or they will be rejected. Liability Statement The signature of an authorized representative of the proposing agency is required on the unaltered statement in order for SHRP 2 to accept the agency's proposal for consideration. Proposals submitted without this executed and unaltered statement by the proposal deadline will be summarily rejected. An executed, unaltered statement indicates the agency's intent and ability to execute a contract that includes the provisions in the statement. The Liability Statement is Figure 1 in the Manual for Conducting Research and Preparing Proposals for SHRP 2 ( http://trb.org/shrp2/SHRPII_Instructions.asp ) (see General Note 4). Here is a printable version of the SHRP 2 Liability Statement ( http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/shrp2/LiabilityStatement.pdf ). A free copy of the Adobe Acrobat PDF reader is available at http://www.adobe.com. Delivery Address PROPOSAL-SHRP 2 ATTN: Neil F. Hawks Director, Strategic Highway Research Program 2 Transportation Research Board 500 Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 Phone: 202-334-1430 General Notes 1. Proposals will be evaluated by SHRP 2 staff and Expert Task Groups (ETGs) consisting of individuals collectively very knowledgeable in the problem area. Selection of an agency is made by the SHRP 2 Oversight Committee, based on the recommendation from SHRP 2 staff and the ETG. The following factors are considered: (1) the proposer's demonstrated understanding of the problem; (2) the merit of the proposed research approach and experimental design; (3) the experience, qualifications, and objectivity of the research team in the same or closely related problem area; (4) the proposer's plan for participation by disadvantaged business enterprises-small firms owned and controlled by minorities or women; and (5) the adequacy of facilities. 2. Any clarifications regarding this RFP will be posted on the SHRP 2 Web site ( www.TBR.org/SHRP2 ). Announcements of such clarifications will be posted on the front page and, when possible, will be noted in the TRB e-newsletter. Proposers are advised to check the Web site frequently until August 26, 2008, when no further comments will be posted. 3. According to the provisions of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 21, which relates to nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs, all parties are hereby notified that the contract entered into pursuant to this announcement will be awarded without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability. 4. The essential features required in a proposal for research are detailed in the Manual for Conducting Research and Preparing Proposals for SHRP 2 ( http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/shrp2/PreparingSHRP2Reports.pdf ). Proposals must be prepared according to this document, and attention is directed specifically to Section IV for mandatory requirements. Proposals that do not conform to these requirements will be rejected. 5. The total funds available are made known in the project statement and line items of the budget are examined to determine the reasonableness of the allocation of funds to the various tasks. If the proposed total cost exceeds the funds available, the proposal is rejected. 6. All proposals become the property of the Transportation Research Board. Final disposition will be made according to the policies thereof, including the right to reject all proposals. IMPORTANT NOTICE Potential proposers should understand that the research project described herein is tentative. The final content of the program depends on the level of funding made available. Nevertheless, to be prepared to execute research contracts as soon as possible after sponsors' approvals, the Strategic Highway Research Program is assuming that the tentative program will become official in its entirety and is proceeding with requests for proposals and selections of research agencies.
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